Probably the most famous Allied bomber of World War II, the Lancaster had impressive flying characteristics and
operational performance. The Lancaster was the RAF's only heavy bomber capable of carrying the 12,000-lb Tallboy
and 22,000-lb Grand Slam bombs. The aircraft demonstrated superbly its right to fame with the daring and precise
raids on the Ruhr dams in May 1943, and also the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz in November 1944.
Thousands of Canadian aircrew and other personnel served with the RCAF and RAF's Lancaster squadrons in England;
and thousands of Canadians at home worked at Victory Aircraft in Malton (Toronto), Ontario, where they produced
over 400 Lancaster Mk X's. In total, more than 7300 Lancasters rolled off the production lines in Britain and Canada.
Only two still fly.
The CWH Museum has dedicated its Mynarski Memorial Lancaster to the memory of Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski,
VC, of 419 (Moose) Squadron, 6 (RCAF) Group. Mynarski won 6 Group's only Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth's highest
award for gallantry in battle. On the night of 12/13 June 1944, his Lancaster X was shot down by a Luftwafffe night
fighter. As the bomber plunged earthwards, Mynarski, his flying clothing afire, tried in vain to free his trapped
rear gunner from the jammed rear turret. Miraculously, the gunner lived to relate the story of Mynarski's bravery.
Unfortunately, Mynarski died from his severe burns.
