The Lancaster is a big plane that operates on four Merlin engines and Thursday in Saskatoon you can actually see this World War II bomber up close and in person.

Brian Swidrovich, who has been volunteer Director at past airshows in Saskatoon, says there are only two Lancaster Bombers in the world that can still fly, and one is in England while the other is based out of the Canadian Warplane Museum in Hamilton, Ontario.

Swidrovich says there’s a barbeque lunch that is a fundraiser for the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum (5 Hangar Road) giving visitors an opportunity to see the Lancaster up close.

“The target time is about 10:30, it’ll buzz Saskatoon a couple times, and you’ll hear those four Merlins humming over our city. It’s going to be a unique experience.”

Merlins are the Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine that powers the Lancaster.

He says the plane is being refueled in Saskatoon and will be parked in front of the museum by a Canso which is another World War II plane. He says for $20 visitors can get lunch and a photo op. The timing is weather dependent. The WWII bomber is passing through en route to the Cold Lake Air Show which is part of its contribution to the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force this year.