Work continued in October on the cockpit section and associated parts. The restored instrument panel was installed in the cockpit after some minor alterations. The folding flight engineer’s seat also required some alterations to make it fit properly. The radio compass receiver has been re-painted and is installed on the shelf under the navigator’s table. It required the fabrication of a new base plate. There are several cable-and-chain assemblies yet to be sorted out on the control column before it can be completed. The Crew has put a first coat of camouflage paint on the cockpit section, as this must be done before the canopy is installed. Plexiglas for the canopy has been ordered and is waiting to be picked up at Aircraft Spruce.

Various items from Nanton have been delivered and the CREW has begun restoration work on much of it. There are enough parts to put together a very good rear turret replica. Thanks again to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Center at East Kirkby, UK and to BCMC in Nanton for their assistance in acquiring these parts.

Trenton has requested the return of their loaned bomb doors by the spring. Work has commenced with the removal of the inner skins and a couple of the outer to assess what is needed to re-manufacture the FM212. Several new sheets of aluminum will be required to be purchased, as there is a lot of structure (20 new ribs per door as well as inner and outer skins) to be built. The CREW will also need to follow up with the re-manufacture of the replacement extrusions as well. Volunteer Hours for the month=838.

The November and December reports were combined due to the schedule of Board meetings. Work saw the final assembly of the throttle stack the start of wiring the instrument panel. Only items necessary to running the engines will be wired, such as RPM gauges, magneto switches, fire extinguishers and engine start buttons.

The restoration of an assortment of rear turret parts has begun which allows the attachment to the rear turret assembly. The turret cupola is 50% restored. Volunteers have been disassembling the rear turret, replacing all of the fasteners (the originals are rusted beyond repair), stripping the old paint, straightening some damaged parts and making the door latching assembly functional again and re-priming everything before assembly. Work has also continued on the restoration of the mid-upper turret.

CREW have finished the partial disassembly of the loaned bomb doors from Trenton and are beginning to button them back up before returning the doors in the spring. CH2A has received the new aluminum sheet and are nearly done duplication of the inner and outer skins for the doors. Auto CAD drawings of the ribs that will need to be reproduced have been started. Total Volunteer Hours for Month=481. Total Volunteer Hours on the Lancaster Project for the Year 2019 totalled 3993.

Risk Analysis:

The Lancaster Bomber is an asset of historical and cultural importance to the community. Proper stewardship is vital to protect this asset and provide access to the community.

There are seventeen Lancaster Bombers left in the world. Only two remain in airworthy condition, one located at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton and the