ProjectsPRESERVATIONAir Ministry Huts: Kemble PUBLICITYRAE: FARNBOROUGH NORMAN GROOM'S MUSEUM DISPLAY & EDUCATIONALBCH ROADSHOWS PR MOSQUITO - DISPLAY WICK PR MOSQUITO - DISPLAY
RAE: FARNBOROUGH - DISPLAY ARCHIVES e-MUSEUM REGISTERS PEOPLE BCH INFRASTRUCTURE
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PROJECT PAGELANCASTER FM212 - PUBLICITYAIM | LATEST | NEEDS | BACKGROUND See Also SPOTLIGHT | Parramatter NEWSLETTER
AIMThis is a publicity project that is our attempt to help raise the profile of, and to tell the story behind, the fight to preserve Avro Lancaster FM212 for future generations. THE Canadian Historical Aircraft Association (CH2A) and the good people of Windsor, Ontario are desperately trying to save this 1945 Canadian-built Mk.X Lancaster. Although currently in fantastic condition, the ravages of her outdoor existence "up-the-pole" in the Rose Test Memorial Garden in Jackson Park, will eventually preclude any possibility of preserving her for future generations, unless she can now be quickly taken indoors and conserved. There are several fronts on which we are actively working to promote the fascinating story and progress of the preservation of Lancaster FM212:
LATESTFollowing the tentative launch of "Stage I" of the BCH Website, we have started rolling in coverage of various BCH Projects and Spotlighting the work of others. The Lancaster FM212 story is amongst the first that we have managed to include. We will also be including coverage of FM212 on our BCH Roadshow Display Stand again this year. During our last visit to FM212, we were able to gather enough material to enable us to produce a 3D VR fly-around of FM212. We are currently working on this, and hope to add it to this Website shortly. As for progress on saving FM212... the momentous decision has been made to remove her from the plinth and transport to a new home at Windsor Airport. This is on condition that a special building will be completed first and a replacement fibreglass Hurricane or Spitfire be found. Various committees have been formed for the fund-raising efforts for the new building to house FM212, as well as the restoration and relocation work, and replacement memorial. Work on FM212 by the CH2A is also ongoing. The main wheels on the Lancaster were extended, then retracted, by volunteers with the CH2A on Saturday July 10th 2004, about mid-day. It was the first time the gear has been lowered in 39 years, and was done to determine if the undercarriage is still in serviceable condition to carry the weight of the aircraft. The only snag was a minor valve stem leak on the starboard tire, which was subsequently repaired. See also SPOTLIGHT> NEEDSAll you Editors out there looking for a good aviation heritage story - just get in touch with Ed Curnutte, Chairman of the Windsor Lancaster Group of the CH2A. Also funds and volunteers are needed by the CH2A:
BACKGROUNDEver since the inception of BCH we have had a keen interest in the fate of FM212 and have followed the outstanding progress made by the Windsor Lancaster Group of the CH2A with much approval. Although our resources are severely limited, we nevertheless have attempted to do what we can to help raise the profile of this little-known aircraft. From lobbying of the Canadian authorities with letters, emails and our "Take Her Down" petition campaign, we would hope that a little bit of pressure from this side of the pond has shown that this is not just a Canadian issue. We are going to continue to support the CH2A and FM212 in any way we can, and look forward to seeing her preserved for future generations in the 21st Century.
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