Aviation News – The UK’s last operational Lancaster bomber will be taken out of the skies in 2026 for extensive maintenance, grounding it from airshows and displays.
The Avro Lancaster PA474, based at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, is one of the world’s few airworthy Lancasters. It regularly flies in formation with Spitfires and Hurricanes at public events, but the RAF has confirmed it will undergo routine servicing after the 2025 display season.
The maintenance will involve a complete strip-down of the aircraft, part of a long-established preservation cycle carried out roughly every eight years. This work ensures the bomber remains airworthy while safeguarding its structural integrity and historic value.
Squadron Leader Paul “Ernie” Wise, who pilots the aircraft, emphasized the significance of the project: “This is about preserving our nation’s heritage. We want to keep them flying indefinitely, and in order to do so, they have to be taken offline for an in-depth maintenance procedure.”
Avro Lancaster I PA474/AR-L/VN-T BoBMF RAF in September 2024 at Kleine Brogel AB, Belgium | Rob Vogelaar
Once completed, in 2027, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster PA474 will return to the skies after an 18-month restoration, sporting a fresh look. It will carry the distinctive 1944–45 markings of IX Squadron’s Lancaster LM220, complete with its original wartime nose art, “Getting Younger Every Day.” The new livery pays tribute to the aircraft’s role in Tallboy bombing raids, including the mission that sank the German battleship Tirpitz, while celebrating the enduring legacy of the 80-year-old bomber.
The Lancaster’s temporary withdrawal highlights both the challenges and importance of maintaining rare heritage aircraft. While its absence will be felt at displays in 2026, its restoration ensures future generations can continue to see the iconic bomber in flight.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
