Incredible footage captured alongside legendary Lancaster bomber
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With their wings just feet away from touching, this is the incredible moment a light aircraft flies alongside a legendary Lancaster bomber.
Taking to the skies above Britain, MailOnline was given exclusive access to film the Canadian Avro Lancaster Mk X, in the UK for the last time, from the vantage point of a 10-seater Piper Chieftain.
The moving footage captures the 69ft-long bomber – with a wingspan of 102ft – from take-off at Humberside Airport, flying down to Lincoln Cathedral, then out towards the North Sea and over The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Museum, home of the Avo Lancaster Just Jane, before returning.
'We were incredibly close': A photograph taken of the Canadian Lancaster bomber from on board Action Station's Piper Chieftain
The Lancaster looks haunting and glorious, its distinctive markings shimmering in the sunlight, as the magnificent machine - one of the Second World War's most-recognisable British aircraft - powers across the blue sky.
At one point, the two planes are so close to each other, the passengers in the Chieftain are able to see the Lancaster pilot's face - and the dials on its dashboard.
Phil Vinter, 36, from London, who was on board the Piper Chieftain, shot the scenic four-minute video for MailOnline.
He flew with Kent-based Action Stations, which arranges flights alongside incredible planes such as Spitfires and Hurricanes.
Incredible machine: The Canadian Lancaster as it flies above Britain, having made the journey across the Atlantic for the final time
Flying high: The spectacular footage captures the Lancaster gliding just metres away from Action Stations' Piper Chieftain
Mr Vinter said: 'It was spectacular - the sun was shining on the Lancaster and it looked as awesome as you would expect. It was a fantastic sight.
'It was staggering just how close we were able to get. We were able to see right inside the cockpit - at times, you could see the pilot, and some of the dials on the dashboard. We were just metres away from each other.
'The noise was incredible as well - when you're on the ground, it's a unique sound and very different to modern aircraft. If you were living in the flight path to one of those, you would know about it!
Flight of a lifetime: The Canadian Lancaster bomber flies above the UK as MailOnline films footage from a light aircraft soaring just feet away
Journey of a lifetime: The Canadian Avro Lancaster made the flight to Britain for the final time to fly with the only other airworthy bomber in the world
Phil Vinter shot the footage of the incredible Canadian Lancaster bomber - flying just metres away in a twin-engine Piper Chieftain
'It's a very low but loud drone - very basey. You can just imagine that noise during the war - and the Lancaster being a very threatening device.
'As one of the world's only two remaining Lancaster bombers, to have the opportunity to see the plane that was so vital during the Second World War, the most significant aircraft helping the allies to win, to see one of these up close, the famous Dambuster plane, it was a really special moment. I feel very privileged.'
The Lancaster Vera - dedicated to Andrew Mynarski, the last Canadian airman to be awarded the VC in World War II – made the 14-hour, 3,700-mile journey to Britain from its base at the Ontario's Warplane Heritage Museum earlier this month.
It has joined the Lancaster Thumper at various events over the past few weeks - marking the first time the two Bombers have flown together for the first time in 50 years.
The two aircraft are expected to visit some 60 air shows and public events across the UK over the next five weeks.
They took to the skies over Eastbourne last week - joined by jet planes from the Red Arrows.
The Lancasters, made famous by the Dambusters raid, took part in a flyby over Eastbourne beach along with a Spitfire and a Hurricane as part of a tour to commemorate the Battle of Britain.
Farewell flights: The Canadian Lancaster - pictured soaring above the UK - is in Britain for the final time
Together again: The world's only two airworthy Lancaster bombers united on a windswept RAF Coningsby for one of the last times on August 13
Side by side: The British and Canadian Lancaster bombers fly above Eastbourne, Sussex, in a display that hasn't been since since the 1950s
The Lancaster Thumper, flying as part of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, was joined by the Canadian Lancaster Vera from Ontario
The bombers are equipped with four Packard Merlin engines, which are capable of pushing the planes up to 275mph.
Action Stations is arranging flights alongside the legendary bomber, with seats available for a final trip on September 8, for £2,150.
The price includes a 40-minute flight - flying alongside the Lancaster for about 30 minutes - as well as a tour of the plane and a photo opportunity.
Stephen Burt, CEO of Action Stations, said: 'We offer these flights to ensure the memory of those aircrews who gave of themselves in our hour of need, is never forgotten.
People take photos of the Lancaster bomber, one of only two in the world still flying, at Durham Tees Valley Airport in Darlington, as it tours the country
The bombers are equipped with four Packard Merlin engines, which are capable of pushing the planes up to 275mph
The Lancaster from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which flew with the Canadian Bomber in formation for a public display
'We can appreciate and enjoy the aircraft that are kept in museums, but it is only when they are fired up and flying that these legendary machines capture the attention and imagination of all.
'And if the story of the heroism of those people is to be passed on to future generations, it will be through the regular flying of these aircraft - their sight and sound will inspire future generations.'
The Avro Lancaster is one of the Second World War's most-recognisable British aircraft.
It is most famous for the Dambusters raids, which saw 19 Lancasters attack German dams with Sir Barnes Wallis's 'bouncing bombs' in 1943.
Vera - built two years after the raids, in 1945 - was acquired by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in 1978 and underwent a 10-year restoration.
Lord Of The Rings director Peter Jackson has also been on board the bomber in preparation for a new film about the Dambusters.
The footage was filmed and edited by Phil Vinter with assistance from Andrew Panton for MailOnline.
Epic journey: The Canadian Lancaster bomber made the long trip across the Atlantic from Canada to Britain for the last time
Take off: MailOnline was granted exclusive access to film while flying alongside the Canadian Lancaster bomber on a 30-minute flight
The Canadian Avro Lancaster - in Britain for the last time - is one of the Second World War's most-recognisable British aircraft
THE LANCASTER DEDICATED TO LAST CANADIAN AIRMAN TO BE AWARDED THE VC IN WWII ...
Once in a lifetime: The trip to Britain marks the final time the Lancaster flies from Canada to England
Honoured: Andrew Mynarski was the last Canadian airman to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the Second World War
'Probably the most famous Allied bomber of the Second World War, the Avro Lancaster had impressive flying characteristics and operational performance,' the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum says on its website.
The winner will be flying in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Lancaster Mk X, which was built at Victory Aircraft, Malton, Canada, in July 1945.
The plane is dedicated to the memory of Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski who was awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Canadian Mynarski won the award on June 13, 1944, when his Lancaster was shot down in flames by a German night fighter during the Second World War.
As the bomber fell, Mynarski managed to free the tail gunner trapped in the rear turret of the blazing and out-of-control aircraft before he died.
The crew member survived and lived to tell the tale, resulting in the Victoria Cross being awarded in 1946 - the last such award to a Canadian airman in the Second World War.
The Lancaster bomber, which is flying to the UK in August, was dedicated to Mynarski, and is referred to as the 'Mynarski Memorial Lancaster'.
It is painted in the colours of his aircraft KB726 – VR-A, which flew with RCAF Squadron.
Unique opportunity: The passengers will fly alongside the most famous Allied bomber of the Second World War
In 1952, it suffered a serious accident and received a replacement wing centre section from a Lancaster that had flown in combat over Germany.
It served as a maritime patrol aircraft in Newfoundland for many years and was retired from the RCAF in late 1963.
With help from the Sulley Foundation in 1977, it was acquired from the Royal Canadian Legion in Goderich, Ontario, where it had been on outside display.
Eleven years passed before it was completely restored and flew again on September 24, 1988.
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