RAAFA’s Aviation Heritage Museum will offer free entry to all visitors on Sunday 25 May to celebrate the 80th birthday of its Avro Lancaster, one of the world’s most iconic wartime aircraft featuring four impressive Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.
The museum’s NX 622 Avro Lancaster, built as part of the Royal Air Force’s elite Tiger Force, was completed in May 1945, just days before the end of the Second World War. Despite more than 7,300 of the aircraft built, the NX 622 is one of only 17 that have survived intact, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the Bull Creek museum every year.
After retiring from service, the museum’s Avro Lancaster made its final flight over the first and only Perth Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony in December 1962,before landing at Perth Airport.
Seventeen years later, in one of Western Australia’s most remarkable aviation feats, RAAFA’s Aviation Heritage Museum volunteers dismantled the massive bomber andhauled it 16 kilometres along Leach Highway to its permanent home at the Aviation Heritage Museum in Bull Creek.
Now, eight decades since it first took to the skies, the public is invited to mark the major milestone and experience the aircraft up close with a day of free fun-filled activities that pay homage to the World War II aviation hero.
The 80th birthday celebrations will run from 10am to 4pm on Sunday May 25, with free public entry and no bookings required.
The schedule of celebratory activities include an open cockpit viewing of the FA/18 Hornet, engine displays, birthday cake, and a live radio link to the Lancaster Just Jane at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in the UK, hosted by the Perth Amateur Radio Club.
For more information on the Aviation Heritage museum, including aircraft, tours and bookings visit: https://aviationmuseumwa.org.au/
