Rare WW II bomber lands in Calgary

One of only two Lancaster bombers still capable of flying has landed in Calgary for a nine-day visit.

The vintage four-engine plane, famous for night attacks against Germany during World War II, is part of a display co-hosted by the Aero Space Museum of Calgary until August 12.

Cliff Black, who flew Lancasters for 19 bombing missions, called it the best bomber in the world.

"It carried a bigger load. It was a little faster than most of them but the main thing was that it was a reliable aircraft," he said on Tuesday. "That aircraft will get you home when lots of other craft wouldn't."

The Lancaster became known as the "dam buster" after being used in raids on dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley.

Famous bomber attracts fans

Airplane buff Richard Abbenbrook waited hours outside a hangar at the Art Smith Aero Centre on Tuesday. He said the famous Lancaster was one of his favourite airplane models to build when he was younger.

"Had Lancaster bombers especially because of that show Dam Busters so I bought a model and I had glue in [the] windows [of my model]. This one doesn't, so I'm happy," he said.

The plane on display in Calgary is owned by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ont. It was delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force in August 1945 three months after Germany's defeat and never saw wartime service.

The world's other airworthy Lancaster is based in the United Kingdom.