On 23 July, Toronto City Council approved deaccessioning of the city’s Avro Lancaster X, FM104, from its historical collection, and it will soon be moved to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in North Saanich, near Victoria international Airport. The Malton, Ontario-built bomber has spent the past few years stored at Edenvale aerodrome, having been displayed on a plinth in the city’s Coronation Park between 1965-99.
Restoration will reportedly start immediately with the goal of returning FM104 to airworthiness in partnership with a team of restorers at Victoria Air Maintenance. BC Aviation Museum President John Lewis says, “I am pleased that many local aircraft manufacturing specialists and vintage aircraft enthusiasts have pledged their time and knowledge to volunteer on this project. Many people at the BC Aviation Museum and in the Victoria aviation community have worked hard to make today’s announcement possible. We are now looking forward to the day when Lancaster FM104 goes on display at our museum.”
