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Royal Canadian Air Force to Assist In Historic move of rare World War 2 Bomber
In September 2017, after participating in the ceremony Quick Facts
marking the official transfer of ownership of Lancaster A combined team from the RCAF’s Aerospace
bomber KB882 from the City of Edmundston to the and Telecommunications Engineering Support
National Air Force Museum of Canada, the Royal Squadron (ATESS) and the National Air Force
Canadian Air Force recommenced work to dismantle Museum of Canada are dismantling KB882.
the aircraft and prepare for its transport to its new The work is expected to take three to four
home in Trenton, ON. weeks, and it is anticipated that the RCAF will
transport KB882 to Trenton by the end of
October 2017. This will be the third time that
KB882 will be worked on by ATESS (and its
predecessor 6 Repair Depot). The aircraft
passed through their skilled hands in 1954
and 1964.
When the aircraft arrives in Trenton, it will be
KB882 symbolizes the more than 50,000 Canadians restored to her post-war Mark 10 AR (area
who served in Bomber Command during the Second reconnaissance) configuration with the aid of
World War and the nearly 10,000 who lost their lives. donations and volunteer efforts. Restoration
Equally important, though less well known than the is expected to take five to seven years.
Lancaster’s wartime service, is the aircraft’s major When KB882 is on display for public viewing,
post-war contribution to the RCAF’s Arctic patrol the National Air Force Museum of Canada will
activities and aerial photographic work as Canada be the only museum in the world to have in
charted its wilderness. Today, that heritage lives on, in its collection a fully restored Handley Page
the RCAF’s role as the Guarantor of Canadian Halifax and Avro Lancaster.
Sovereignty – in times of both peace and conflict.
Built by Victory Aircraft Ltd. in Malton, Ont.,
KB882 flew several combat missions over
“Lancaster KB882 tangibly represents the RCAF’s Europe before returning to Canada in 1945. In
transition from war to peacetime activities. As the
1952, the aircraft underwent a major
RCAF looks towards its 100th anniversary in 2024,
overhaul and conversion to area
Lancaster KB882 will serve as a valuable anchor for our reconnaissance. Assigned to the photo-
commemorative activities, and a beacon for the
reconnaissance role with 408 Squadron at
preservation of RCAF and Canadian history and
RCAF Station Rockcliffe, in Ottawa, in 1953,
heritage.” KB882 proved instrumental in the mapping
— Lieutenant-General Mike Hood, Commander, Royal
and charting of Canada’s Arctic. The aircraft
Canadian Air Force
was also used as an electronic and
“The National Air Force Museum of Canada is photographic intelligence gathering platform
honoured to have been selected as the final resting
during the Cold War.
place for this historic aircraft. KB882 will be reborn and
proudly displayed as our premier exhibit celebrating Shortly after retirement in 1964, KB882 was
the 100th anniversary of the RCAF on the 1st of April, sold to the City of Edmundston where it has
2024. Its appearance, along with our restored Halifax been displayed at the Edmundston Airport.
Mk. VII bomber, will be unique in the world as our
museum will be the only one having both in a fully
restored condition.”
Chris Colton, Executive Director, National Air Force
Museum of Canada
