World War II Lancaster Bomber to fly over Greater Manchester in May

A rare Lancaster Bomber will fly over Greater Manchester next month.

The Second World War plane will fly over the skies of Stockport as part of the town’s inaugural soap box derby. The historic aircraft is one of only two remaining from an original 7,377 fleet.

The Totally Stockport Krazy Races soap box derby will take place on Sunday May 28th at St Peter’s Square. The event has been chosen to become part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flyover.

Taking place between the months of May and September, the series of flyovers are designed to ‘meet the values and principles of the RAF’. The rare Lancaster will give Greater Manchester residents the opportunity to witness the most successful RAF heavy bomber of WW2.

Sarah Belcher, founder and director of Krazy Races, said: “Competition for a flyover is very tough with the majority being over massive, well established airshows.

“To be able to share this extra, added treat with the families of Stockport is a real pleasure.

“The Motto of the Royal Air Force memorial flight is ‘Lest We forget’ and we are sure that this special honour will help give the people who attend our event, memories that will last a lifetime.”

Over 10,000 people are expected to attend the event, not just to marvel at a stunning piece of history flying overhead, but also to cheer on the crazy wacky downhill races and support the outrageous downhill racers taking part.

Launching from St Peter’s Square, the racers will navigate through chicanes, down the steep hill into Mersey Square before hitting a tight right-hand bend onto Chestergate and past the Air Raid Shelters. The course is over 350m with chicanes, obstacles, water and more.

Amateur teams will be entertaining the crowds and competing to be the best dressed, have the best designed and the fastest soapbox karts powered by nothing more than courage, inspiration, gravity and a bit of luck.

Competitors will work their way through a knockout style competition with only the fastest 10 cars making it through to the final, where they will battle to take home the winner’s trophy.

The opening procession will take place at 10.45am, before the first run at 11am. There will be three runs before a final run of the ten fastest at 5pm.

The soap box derby is FREE to attend and will take place on Sunday, May 28th.