Iconic Canadian planes soar over local communities on Remembrance Day

In the skies over Hamilton, CHCH reporter Manesa Dhanabalan flew aboard the B-25 Mitchell bomber as it circled area communities in another powerful act of remembrance.

The engines of the planes roared as pilots in the Lancaster, the B-25 Mitchell and the Dakota prepared to take off from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Wednesday morning.

The B-25 Mitchell flew beside the Lancaster over downtown Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Brantford and Caledonia.

The aircraft then flew over the museum and Stoney Creek, as well as several Remembrance Day ceremonies in the Niagara region.

Mark Bayley has been flying the B-25 for four years.

“It’s an absolute pleasure and honour to be able to fly the Warbirds during the Remembrance Day ceremony. Of course, coming over top at 11:02,” Bayley says.

Built in 1945, the aircraft is the only B-25 Mitchell currently flying in Canada.

It was a little chilly and pretty loud on board, but passengers had a great view of the Lancaster, which is one of only two airworthy models remaining in the world.

Lancaster bombers were flown by Canadian and Allied pilots and were crucial in the victory over Hitler’s Third Reich. Some of them were built right here in Canada.

“So we fly it 50 to 75 hours a year. Same thing in memorial. It’s not to glorify anything. It’s just for the sacrifices that were made,” said Craig Brookhouse, a flight engineer for the Lancaster at the museum.

“So big four engine Merlins on it that sound like it’s just like a musical orchestra. When we take off, I’m flying along. To feel her wings around you, you can feel all the angels on our wingtips when we’re flying it.”

Randy Strawn has been working on the Lancaster for 40 years.

“Not only an honour, but a privilege. To be able to keep these airplanes flying in memory of our veterans,” Strawn said. “You know that for me, that’s the biggest thing.”

One man drove all the way from Whitby, Ont., early in the morning just to see the Lancaster in the air.

“My dad, he was a tail gunner in the Lancaster, and he bailed out over Germany. I believe it was 1945, and I saw the one in Alberta at the museum, but I’ve never seen one fly,” he said.

He was not alone. Hundreds of people across the Hamilton and Niagara areas got a chance to see the flyovers Wednesday morning, an important act of remembrance in the region.

WATCH MORE: Hundreds gather at Gore Park Cenotaph for Hamilton’s Remembrance Day service