A BAD PENNY
ALWAYS COME BACK
In the last days of WWII, seven brave young RCAF men and their Lancaster, “Bad Penny,” were chosen for a dangerous mission to help a country in need. As in the old expression, “... like a bad penny, it keeps coming back,” Bad Penny and her crew returned from their April 29th, 1945 flight over enemy territory to Holland where they “bombed” the Dutch with food bundles. Their successful test run served to launch the Allies' “Operation Manna;” over 11,000 tons of food was dropped in 10 days. A boy named Peter was one of the many Dutch children saved by Bad Penny and her crew. In the book "A Bad Penny Always Comes Back," first time author Glen Mitchell pays tribute to this important moment in time with his charming and vibrant kid's book.
UP, UP AND AWAY!
Pat Kelly of Pat Kelly Model Design in Windsor, Ontario, has developed a fun way for you to build your own model of the Bad Penny Lancaster.
Simply click at right on any of the Bad Penny model images, download the file, and print out the three pages, and follow the instructions.
You will need scissors, glue and maybe a grown-up to help you cut it out, and to join in on the fun!
NOTE: 67 lb. paper is recommended for the model. Heavy paper ensures better quality folds and stability.
Bad Penny Puzzle
This 200 piece puzzle is a fun way to learn more about Operation Manna and the role Bad Penny played in the mission's success.
SPECIAL BUNDLE OFFER!
Get the Bad Penny book and the puzzle for one low price.
“A Bad Penny Always Comes Back” is more than the story of an act of kindness during wartime. Glen Mitchell has captured the love between two great nations, Canada and the Netherlands. A bond that is as strong today as it was during the life saving food drops of “Operation Manna” in the final days of WWII.”
S. Michael Beale KTJCanadian Historical Aircraft Association
Praise
“Dear Mr Mitchell,
I was born in Holland during the hunger winter of 1944 with my parents being near starvation. From very young I remember my parents talking about “manna from heaven” in the form of Swedish white bread which was dropped into our village by kind American, Canadian and British pilots. You guys really saved my life.”
Hans Wustefeld
This delightful book is dedicated to all the starved children in war-torn Holland. One of these starving children was Peter (his real name) who saw it all happen and was saved. In 1995 Peter was able to say thank you when the pilot, officer Bob Upcott, and his crew, as well as the plane BAD PENNY, were honoured for what they did in 1945 to save the starving people in Holland.
Lini R.Grol
Brampton, ON
Author Glen Mitchell
“When I first heard the story, it immediately struck me as being a children’s book. My first inclination was to locate a suitable author and convince them to write the story. After a few years of not finding an author, I decided to give it a try myself. I guess my previous experience in song writing played a big part in my writing the book.”
BUY THE BOOK
“When I first heard the story, it immediately struck me as being a children’s book. My first inclination was to locate a suitable author and convince them to write the story. After a few years of not finding an author, I decided to give it a try myself. I guess my previous experience in song writing played a big part in my writing the book.”
A collection of useful and informative links relating to Operation Manna, Canadian aviation history, museums and aviation groups.
