On this day, yesterday in fact.

[FLYING BANANA]

83rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE AVRO LANCASTER’S FIRST FLIGHT

Today, January 9th, marks the 83rd anniversary of one of the most significant events in the history of military aviation when the first prototype Avro Lancaster took off from Ringway now Manchester Airport on its maiden flight.
The Avro Lancaster is one of the most famous aircraft in the world designed by Avro chief designer Roy Chadwick and described by Arthur"Bomber" Harris as the finest Bomber he had at his disposal during the War.

7,377 of the Lancasters were built and as well as being responsible for famous raids such as the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz and the famous Dams raid the Lancaster was responsible for dropping 2/3 of the total bombload dropped by Bomber Command.
A legend in aviation terms and still flying today in the capable hands of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and of course the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Canada.