Families awaits return of Vera

The Lancaster bomber is slowly making it’s way home, and while the folks at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum will be happy to see the plane that they call Vera, there are plenty of other people eager to see the crew.

It was an historic event which took 25 years to plan, and went extremely well. Today we talked with three pilots’ wives who eager to get their husbands back.

With wheels up on the Lancaster’s trip home, she will bring with her pilots and crew who have been away for 8 weeks.

Mary Evans, wife to Capt. Leon Evans: “When he gets home, I can hardly wait. Even now when I just said that I get goose bumps.”

Mary Evans is wife to Captain Leon Evans. Despite his having over 30 years experience, she was nervous last August when the Lancaster began her trip overseas: “But yeah, I had some concerns, I did. I have to be honest. Not because of him, but because the age of the aircraft.”

Over the 8 week tour, the Lancaster has been all over England. Vera, as the Lancaster is known, even met up with Thumper, the only other Lancaster fit to fly. An event 25 years in the planning for the crew. Today, Mary was joined by fellow pilots’ wives Carol Dobson and Sally Rohrer to talk about the once in a lifetime tour and their surprise welcome.

Sally Rhorer: “They were treated like rock stars in England.”

Sally is married to Captain David Rhorer, and Carol is married to Captain Andy Dobson. All three of the ladies met their husbands for a brief time over there, and were given the same treatment.

Sally Rhorer: “By osmosis, we were rock stars, we called ourselves the Lancettes.”

Before leaving England, they were even given poppies which were knitted especially for them by a local grocery store owner. And now that the Lancettes are home, they’re taking time to reflect.

Carol Dobson wife to Capt. Andy Dobson: “It was almost like coming down from a euphoria.”

The Lancaster is currently in Iceland and is expected to make the trip to Goose Bay, Newfoundland within the next two days. From there it’s on to Ottawa, and then home to Hamilton on Sunday. Mary got word this morning that they are on their way, and she’s ready to begin normal life again: “I know they loved him over there, but I love him here too, having a cup of coffee and going to the gym.”

Given that the Lancaster is 70 years old, there could be some delays as we have already seen on this trip. it was grounded today in Iceland due to high winds. If they do have any trouble, they may stop in Greenland before going on to Goose Bay.