Lancaster bomber touches down for maintenance work

The Lancaster Bomber came in to land at IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire from its base at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire

The UK's last flying Lancaster bomber has touched down for months of maintenance work.

The Avro Lancaster PA474, which ordinarily is based at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, arrived at IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire on Wednesday.

Now the 2025 display season has concluded, the aircraft is due to undergo routine maintenance from the Aircraft Restoration Company, which specialises in the restoration, maintenance and operation of vintage aircraft.

While work is carried out, the aircraft will be missing from future air displays in 2026.

The BBFM also operates five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a C-47 Dakota and two Chipmunk aircraft, which can be seen in the skies from May to October.

There are only two airworthy Lancasters left in the world, the Royal Air Force said.

The Lancaster Bomber will go through an in-depth maintenance procedure and be absent from next year's display season

Previously speaking to the BBC, the aircraft's pilot, Sqn Ldr, Paul "Ernie" Wise, said the work was about preserving "our nation's heritage".

He said: "We do want to keep them flying indefinitely.

"In order to do so, they have to be taken offline from time to time to go through an in-depth maintenance procedure for a major servicing."

He said the aircraft will be stripped down, which happens every eight years and hoped for a "speedy return" to the skies.

While the plane is out of action for next year's display season, the unit's C-47 Dakota transport aircraft will fly alongside the Spitfire and Hurricane fighter planes.