Operation (Lancaster) Goodwill: July 1946
Visit https://masterbombercraig.wordpress.com/post-war-raf-career/operation-lancaster-46/arrival-tour/
The Master Bomber Craig website is dedicated to the memory of Wing Commander Alan John Laird Craig, DSO, DFC, AFC, MBE, 1923~1971 and all the RAF Bomber Command Personnel who took part in the 1939-1945 conflict.
In July of 1946 WC Craig commanded an Avro Lancaster Victory Tour across America, Operation (Lancaster) Goodwill stopped first at Mitchel Field, before touring America. Follow the link to read the full illustrated story.
During July & August 1946, 35 Squadron RAF was to conduct a Goodwill Tour of the USA with 16 Lancaster Bombers. The Squadron originally left the UK in 2 Waves in July and were routed via Lagens in the Azores to Gander. After Mitchel Airfield, (Hempstead Plains, Long Island, New York), via Buffalo, Detroit, & Chicago to St Louis, via Kansas City, the Lancasters were to visit Scott Field (St Clair Co, Illinois), Lowry (Denver) & Long Beach (California), taking part in USAAF celebrations in Los Angeles on 1st August 1946. On the way Home, they visited Kelly Field, (San Antonio, Texas) Andrew Field (Maryland) Westover Field (Chicopee, Nr Springfield, & Massachusetts) & back to Mitchel Field. 12 Aircraft were designated for Fly-Pasts and 4 were kept in reserve. The Total Deployment was 230 Officers & Men, 30 in the Avro York Advance Party & Ground Crew in excess of 80 men. BBC Wartime Correspondent, Charles Gardner was also in attendance.
The Itinerary for the Tour was as follows:–
RAF Graveley – Departure
RAF St Mawgan (16 Crews spent the night)
Lagens, Azores
Gander Base, Newfoundland
Mitchel Field, New York, Long Island Wednesday 17th July (Over-flying Boston)
Scott Field, St Louis, Illinois – Sunday 21st July (AJLC flew to Lambert Field on a Pass in a C47 Dakota)
Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado, Thursday 25th July
Long Beach Field, Los Angeles California (A J L Craig flew to San Francisco on a Pass on the Avro York Aircraft)
Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas
Andrews Field, Washington, Delaware County
Westover Field, (Springfield) Boston, Massachusetts (AJL-Craig flew to Boston in a C47 Dakota)
Mitchel Field, New York, Long Island
Gander, Newfoundland
Lagens, Azores
RAF St Mawgan
RAF Graveley
The Itinerary for the Tour was as follows:–
RAF Graveley – Departure
RAF St Mawgan (16 Crews spent the night)
Lagens, Azores
Gander Base, Newfoundland
Mitchel Field, New York, Long Island Wednesday 17th July (Over-flying Boston)
Scott Field, St Louis, Illinois – Sunday 21st July (AJLC flew to Lambert Field on a Pass in a C47 Dakota)
Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado, Thursday 25th July
Long Beach Field, Los Angeles California (A J L Craig flew to San Francisco on a Pass on the Avro York Aircraft)
Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas
Andrews Field, Washington, Delaware County
Westover Field, (Springfield) Boston, Massachusetts (AJL-Craig flew to Boston in a C47 Dakota)
Mitchel Field, New York, Long Island
Gander, Newfoundland
Lagens, Azores
RAF St Mawgan
RAF Graveley
