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Lancaster bombers flypast at 'Dambusters' Derwent Dam | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Thousands of people watched the last two airworthy Lancaster bombers in the world fly over where the famous Dambusters raid was practised. | |
The Lancasters passed Derwent Dam in Derbyshire three times on their way back to RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, from Southport Air Show. | |
The once in a lifetime sight was in tribute to the Dambusters crews and those killed in World War Two. | |
The Lancasters have been united for a series of events in the UK. | |
One, Thumper, is based in Lincolnshire, and the other, Vera, is normally based in Canada. | |
The crew members who flew on the Dambusters raid included 29 Canadians, adding to the significance of the flypast. | |
Retired Sqn Ldr Stuart Reid, who previously flew the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Lancaster, said: "It was very much a British and Foreign and Commonwealth attack against the dams, as was much of the bombing campaign fought against Germany during the Second World War." | Retired Sqn Ldr Stuart Reid, who previously flew the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Lancaster, said: "It was very much a British and Foreign and Commonwealth attack against the dams, as was much of the bombing campaign fought against Germany during the Second World War." |
He said the operation, which inspired a book and film, was one of the most famous raids in RAF history. | |
The Canadians who flew on the Dambusters raid | The Canadians who flew on the Dambusters raid |
Of the 133 crew members who set off on the Dambusters raid on 16 May 1943, 29 were Canadian. | Of the 133 crew members who set off on the Dambusters raid on 16 May 1943, 29 were Canadian. |
Of those, 13 were killed, one was captured, and 15 returned. | Of those, 13 were killed, one was captured, and 15 returned. |
Find out more and see photos of the men who took part | Find out more and see photos of the men who took part |
One Lancaster flew over the reservoir last year as part of a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the World War Two raid. | One Lancaster flew over the reservoir last year as part of a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the World War Two raid. |
"The Dambusters is synonymous with the Lancaster, the Lancaster is synonymous with the Dambusters; the two go hand in hand," said Sqn Ldr Reid. | "The Dambusters is synonymous with the Lancaster, the Lancaster is synonymous with the Dambusters; the two go hand in hand," said Sqn Ldr Reid. |
A Hurricane and Spitfire also passed over Derwent Dam earlier. |