There are only two. In the world. And Hamilton has one of them.

Of the 7,300 Lancaster bombers that rolled off production lines in Canada and Britain in the Second World War, only 17 Avro Lancs exist today. Only two are airworthy.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope purchased one of them with help from the Sully Foundation in 1977. This "Lanc" has been housed at the CWH Museum since 1979.

In the ensuing years, the plane was restored to flying condition, and made its first flight under Canadian Warplane Heritage colours in September 1988. The CWH Museum dedicated its Lancaster to the memory of Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski, a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mynarski Lancaster's restoration, the CWH Museum is putting on the ritz with a black-tie gala dinner and dance for 800 people in their 40,000-square-foot hangar. Headlining the Sept. 12 event will be the Spitfire Band.

In addition to this anniversary, the gala will honour the 50 to 60 people who have been involved in the Lancaster project over the past 31 years. This night of nostalgia will also serve as a fundraiser to keep the "Lanc" flying.

CWH Museum CEO David Rohrer admits that keeping the Lancaster up in the air for a total of 50 hours a year between May and Nov. 11 is an expensive operation.

"It burns 220 imperial gallons of avgas (aviation fuel) every hour that it flies," said Rohrer. "There's 4.5 litres per imperial gallon. And avgas costs about $1.65 a litre.

"I just spent $100,000 last year on engine overhauls."

This particular Lancaster was built in Malton in 1945, and was retired from active duty with the RCAF in 1963. It did not serve in the Bomber Command during the Second World War.

The Spitfire Band, named after the legendary single-seat British fighter plane, has been in action since 1981. One of the band's founding members, late vocalist Jackie Rae, was a former Spitfire pilot. The group has long been renowned for its repertoire of swing-era tunes. Their arrangements are done by trumpeter Micky Erbe, who at one time was the ensemble's musical director. These days, the 19-piece big band is led by Laurie Bower of The Laurie Bower Singers fame.

The band has received kudos from people such as the late Mel Torme who, after having heard them, declared that "the good old days never sounded this good." George Steinbrenner, crusty principal owner of the New York Yankees, flew the Spitfire Band to Tampa Bay to perform a one-nighter on his yacht.

Bill Lutes, the Hamilton-based technical director and business manager of the Spitfire Band, credits much of the group's success to its top-flight musicians, and Erbe's charts. Lutes says that Erbe's updates of standards by the Dorsey brothers and Glenn Miller "have a more contemporary feel ... a punchier sound."

In addition, the Paris-Port Dover Pipe Band will perform.

Rohrer indicated that dignitaries such as local MPs, Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have been or will be invited. Mayor Fred Eisenberger and former lieutenant governor of Ontario Lincoln Alexander have indicated they'll be there to salute the "Lanc."

If the immensely successful VE-Day gala that was held in 2005 at the CWH Museum is any indication, tickets to the Lancaster gala should also sell out in less time than it took to drop a "Tallboy." Patrons can drop by for cocktails at 6 p.m. Dinner's at 7.

Leonard Turnevicius writes on classical music for The Spectator.

leonardturnevicius@hotmail.com

Spitfire Band to swing at bomber's special night

Showtime

What: Lancaster Gala

With: The Spitfire Band

When: Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

Where: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Rd., Mount Hope (Hamilton International Airport)

Cost: $100, senior $75

Call: 905-679-4183 ext. 230