Iconic WW2 Lancaster bomber cleared to fly again after extensive maintenance period

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's cherished Lancaster bomber will soon be taking to air once again after a period of extensive maintenance.

Over the winter, the BBMF Lancaster, one of only two flying examples in the world, underwent pre-planned maintenance, which included the manufacture and replacement of its entire tailplane.

After meticulous inspections and rigorous testing, the iconic Second World War aircraft is now cleared for flight, ready to grace the skies once again.

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In a statement shared on X, the BBMF said its other planes, the Spitfire and Hurricane, will remain grounded. This pause in their flights comes as an investigation into a tragic Spitfire crash continues.

Squadron Leader Mark Long, a Typhoon pilot at RAF Coningsby and a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pilot for the past four years, was killed when his Spitfire crashed on 25 May near the base.

Following the crash, BBMF also temporarily closed its visitor centre and put its flights on pause.

The BBMF remained grounded and did not participate in the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day or the King's birthday flypast as planned. 

The visitor centre was reopened in June and has resumed public tours of the BBMF hangar.

The BBMF's Lancaster is one of two aircraft of its kind that can still fly.

The other airworthy Lancaster, FM213, belongs to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Ontario, Canada.

The four-engine bomber, designed by Avro in the UK, proved indispensable during the Second World War due to its huge bomb-carrying capability.

The aircraft played a key role in in numerous critical missions, from the daring Dambusters raid to strategic night bombing campaigns over Germany.

The Lancaster became renowned for its ability to sustain significant damage and still complete its mission.

Six companies produced 7,377 Lancasters across 10 factories on two continents, according to the online aviation publication Simply Flying.

During its production peak, more than 1.1 million people employed by 920 companies were involved in the building process.

The Lancaster made its maiden flight in early 1941 and entered service in 1942.

Fewer than 20 Lancasters remain to this day and only two of them are still able to take to the skies.