The Lancaster's RAF service ended in about 1953, though - when MOTU at St Mawgan got rid of theirs. In any case, the last RAF Lancs weren't B.Mk Is, IIIs or Xs, but PR.Mk 1s and MR.Mk 3s. A historic Lanc then didn't fly until the ex-Aeronavale aircraft came home from the Pacific.

As a 'Mark' no Lanc has appreciable service.

The Spit XIX has more of a claim, as the THUM aircraft from Woodvale remained in RAF hands throughout.

Thanks for the fuller picture Pontius much appreciated.

Not the longest, how about the Bristol Bulldog, from the 1930's and crashed at Farnborough in 1964?, that makes at least 30 plus years.

I guess everyone is going to ignore the poster who correctly said 'Harvard' then!!

Original mk I entered service in 1938,