The Avro Lancaster entered the service with Bomber Command in 1942, and quickly became the workhorse of the Allied aerial offensive. With its huge range and massive ordnance capacity, the Lanc proved to be the backbone of the European bomber offensive until the end of the war. Over 1,000 Lancasters took part in many of the most famous (and infamous) attacks on Germany through the war.
Although the Lancaster carried an impressive 12,000lb payload, it was a favourite of its bomber crews for its toughness; pilots also loved it, though, for its ease of flying. The plane was incredibly maneuverable for its great size, with its enormous wings providing a huge control surface.
Tens of thousands of Lancasters were produced, and they continued to serve well after the war in many different capacities, such as search and rescue roles. However, only two remain flying today: one in the United Kingdom, and one in our own home town of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. This very Lancaster inspired the iconic design of our first wall hanging.
The Lancaster wall hanging measures 18″ by 10″. The piece is laser-cut and hand-finished from natural all-Canadian birch.