War-time Lancaster gunner gets another shot in the sky over Hamilton

When he was a young man, Gordon Hastings had his head in the clouds.

A mid upper gunner on a Lancaster during the Second World War, Hastings saw his share of fair skies and darkness from his perch in the storied bomber.

Sunday, Hastings, now 96, found himself in a seat on the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's most famous plane, courtesy of CEO and pilot Dave Rohrer.

Earlier this summer, Hastings visited the museum with daughter Laura Waters, where her brother-in-law had booked a flight on an aircraft. A couple weeks later they were back, and Hastings - logbook in hand - visited with Rohrer.

The former airman, who lives in Niagara Falls, sees the Lancaster fly overhead summer weekends as it tours the region.

So it was fitting that Hastings, a member of the Pathfinders 405 Squadron, took to the skies for a long forgotten, yet familiar view, including a look from the mid upper turret.

Back on the ground, a beaming Hastings got a hug from his daughter and congratulations all round. And the flight itself?

It was just beautiful," said Hastings.

Barry Gray is a Hamilton-based photojournalist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: bgray@thespec.com