Avro Lancaster FM213
| Company type | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation / Military aviation |
| Founded | July 1945 |
| Headquarters | Malton, Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Avro Lancaster Mark X bomber (military aircraft) |
| Parent | Victory Aircraft (manufacturer) |
FM213 is an Avro Lancaster bomber, distinguished as one of merely two still operational worldwide. Constructed at Victory Aircraft in Malton, Ontario, it bears the construction number 3414 and was completed in July 1945. Designed as a Mark X variant, this aircraft was no longer required for European combat duties and was promptly moved to storage at CFB Trenton. Subsequently adapted for maritime reconnaissance missions, FM213 sustained damage during transit and underwent repairs in 1953. Over the following decade, it served as a search and rescue platform across the Atlantic Ocean.
The aircraft was retired from active service in November 1963 and transferred to the Royal Canadian Legion to serve as a gate guard in Goderich, Ontario. In 1977, it was gifted to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and transported to Hamilton in 1979 via a Chinook helicopter. After an extensive restoration process, FM213 returned to flight in September 1988 and has since accumulated approximately 50 flying hours annually.
Registered under the civilian tail code C-GVRA, FM213’s restoration initially featured the paint scheme of RCAF KB726, VR-A, honoring the bomber involved in the mission where Andrew Mynarski earned the Victoria Cross in 1944. Officially named the "Mynarski Memorial Lancaster" but colloquially known as "VeRA," this aircraft regularly participates in airshows and performs demonstration flights around the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. In 2014, FM213 crossed the Atlantic Ocean to join the only other airworthy Lancaster, PA474, for a series of commemorative flights. It has also worn liveries representing VR-R KB772 "Ropey" and VR-X "X-Terminator."
Lancaster Mark X
During the early years of World War II, Victory Aircraft was established as one of several Canadian shadow factories tasked with producing military hardware shielded from German air attacks. The company’s manufacturing site was located at the newly developed Malton Airport, then situated in a rural area outside Toronto, yet accessible via road and rail networks.
In September 1941, Victory Aircraft secured a contract to produce Avro Lancasters under license. This version, designated Mark X, incorporated various Canadian and American components but closely resembled Avro’s original Mark I design. Notably, it utilized US-made Packard V-1650 Merlin engines instead of the British Rolls-Royce units. Additionally, Victory replaced the Frazer-Nash mid-upper turret with the widely adopted Martin 250CE model, armed with heavier Browning .50 caliber machine guns rather than the FN’s .303 Browning guns. Aside from these modifications, parts interchangeability between Mark I and Mark X models remained high, facilitating repairs.
The inaugural Mark X took flight in August 1943, and by 1945 deliveries to operational squadrons in the UK were occurring at a pace of roughly one per day. A total of 430 Mark X aircraft were manufactured; however, many were completed in 1945 when hostilities in Europe had ceased. Consequently, numerous units remained in Canada as surplus inventory. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) placed these into storage at various sites. Construction number 3414—later designated FM213—was among these aircraft; following preliminary flight evaluations, it was officially inducted into RCAF service on 21 August 1945 before being flown directly to CFB Trenton for storage.
10MR conversion
At the onset of the Cold War in 1950, the RCAF found itself without any long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. To address this gap, a plan was initiated to convert surplus Lancasters for this purpose while simultaneously developing a more advanced platform. Victory, which had been acquired by Hawker Siddeley and restructured as Avro Canada, secured the contract to modify these aircraft into what became known as the "10MR" variant. Since Avro’s facilities were occupied with producing the Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck, much of the conversion work was subcontracted to de Havilland Canada at Downsview Airport.
By then, most remaining Lancasters had been sold off by Crown Assets Distribution for roughly $400 each. A number were still stored at Trenton, including FM213, which was among ten airframes dismantled and transported to Downsview on 28 August 1950. The conversion process was extensive, and FM213 was not finished until January 1952. Following flight testing at Downsview, she received the registration VC-AGJ and was assigned to 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron based at RCAF Station Greenwood in Nova Scotia. On 24 January 1952, during the initial leg of her ferry flight through Trenton, she experienced a severe landing mishap after stalling just before touchdown and subsequently executing a ground loop.
The demand for more airframes exceeded the limited stock still in storage. This shortage led Mickey and Bud Found of Found Aircraft to search Alberta, recalling that many had been sold there previously. They eventually located 50 intact aircraft, which they sold back to the government at $10,000 apiece. Upon learning of FM213’s accident, Bud informed the RCAF that he had identified several additional airframes in Alberta unsuitable for flight restoration but potentially useful for parts. This led to Clifford Doan’s farm near RCAF Station Penhold, where KB895 "Lady Orchid" was found in poor condition. The center section was salvaged and sent to Downsview. FM213 was repaired by July 1953 and returned to flight on 26 August.
Search and rescue
During this period, the RCAF began introducing several Lockheed Neptune aircraft for maritime reconnaissance duties, reallocating their Lancasters to different roles. FM213 was transferred to RCAF Station Torbay—now known as St. John's International Airport—to join 107 Rescue Unit RCAF. She bore the tail code VC-AGS initially, later changed to CX-213. Over the next ten years with 107 Rescue Unit, FM213 conducted patrols across the Atlantic Ocean. Her missions included multiple transatlantic crossings, escorting the British royal family on three North American visits as well as participating in Operation Jump Moat in June 1958, which involved delivering CF-100 Canucks to the Belgian Air Force.
On display
FM213 officially retired from service on 6 November 1963 and was moved into storage at RCAF Station Dunnville, near Hamilton, Ontario. Subsequently purchased by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 located in Goderich, Ontario, she flew to Goderich Airport on 14 June 1964 and was formally removed from RCAF inventory on 30 June. After extensive preparation, FM213 was mounted atop three pylons and dedicated on 15 September 1964.
By 1977, exposure to weather and vandalism had left FM213 in deteriorated condition. The Legion lacked funds for restoration and sought to sell the aircraft. Although the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum showed interest, negotiations did not result in an agreement. Eventually, local entrepreneur Bruce Sully facilitated a resolution by arranging for the Legion to donate FM213 in exchange for his establishment of a scholarship fund benefiting Legion members’ children. This agreement was finalized on 1 July 1977.
Flying once more
Following two years of meticulous preparation and partial dismantling, FM213 was transported by air to the museum’s facility at Hamilton International Airport via a Canadian Armed Forces Boeing CH-47 Chinook. The complete restoration to flying condition, carried out solely by volunteers, spanned nearly a decade. The aircraft took to the skies again on 11 September 1988 and has since accumulated approximately 50 flight hours annually.[1]
Originally, the bomber was adorned in the colors of wartime KB726/VR-A from No. 419 (Moose) Squadron.[1] On the night between 12 and 13 June 1944, "A for Apple" came under attack by a German night fighter, resulting in severe fires. As crew members prepared to bail out, mid-upper gunner Andrew Mynarski observed that tail gunner Pat Brophy was trapped. Mynarski succumbed later to burns sustained while trying to rescue Brophy, an act of valor that earned him the Victoria Cross. Brophy survived after being thrown clear when the aircraft disintegrated upon impact.[2]
Throughout its post-war history, this Lancaster has featured multiple paint schemes. In 2014, it briefly donned the shark-mouth design of KB772/VR-R "R for Ropey," before reverting to VR-A for a transatlantic flight touring the United Kingdom alongside the only other airworthy Lancaster, PA474.[3] The following year, it was repainted as KB732/VR-X, known as "X-TERMINATOR," which completed 84 missions during World War II.[1]