In 1950, the Cold War began to affect the structure of the RCAF. New squadrons were created as the RCAF began a period of rapid expansion. Lancaster aircraft were pulled out of storage, overhauled and placed into service and converted to maritime reconnaissance aircraft searching for Soviet submarines, or converted to Arctic reconnaissance to patrol over the Arctic archipelago. Other Lancaster’s served as unmodified photo reconnaissance aircraft.

KB882 was pulled from storage and returned to flying condition. She then went began the modification to an Arctic Reconnaissance version in July 1952. The work was performed at DeHavilland Aircraft in Toronto, under a sub-contract to AV Roe, who had won the contract to modify the Lancaster’s but were now to busy with other aircraft production for the RCAF that they could not carry out the modifications. The work on KB882 was completed by December 1953; however, the aircraft was not required for active service. KB882 was placed in stored reserve with No. 6 Repair Depot at Mountain View in January 1954, where she would remain for over two years. As a stored reserve aircraft, KB882 could be put into operations with only minor maintenance. On 23 November 1955, the aircraft was put into workshop reserve, a category that indicated that more significant work would be required before she could become operational.

In June 1956, KB882 was taken out of storage. She would become a test-bed at the Central Experimental and Test Establishment (CEPE) at Rockcliffe where she would be used to test a night photography system. At CEPE, KB882 was fitted with the required camera, the APS 42 search radar, an electronic counter-measures (ECM) suite and other minor equipment. This installation took time as equipment was unavailable, while flight testing in the new configuration could not be conducted as ballasting for the aircraft was a problem. When the aircraft was ready in November 1956, Air Maintenance Command grounded the aircraft due to problems in the Lancaster fleet. But KB882 was soon flying again, with the flying characteristics tests in the new configuration and the day photo testing being completed by the end of November. The night photo testing and the test of the ECM gear was initially expected to be completed by November, but was now expected to be completed by 23 February 1957. To this was then added icing trials. Finally, after eight months at CEPE and numerous delays, the trials were completed and the aircraft released for operational service on 28 February 1957.

KB882’s new squadron was No. 408, operating out of Rockcliffe in Ottawa. The squadron was tasked with tactical photo reconnaissance in support of the Army, aerial photography for map-making, Arctic reconnaissance, and SHORAN testing. The operations under the heading Arctic reconnaissance involved conducting ice recces during the shipping season, at which time Lancaster from the Squadron would provide reports on ice conditions for the American and Canadian ships resupplying the northern weather and radar stations. The forays into the north also included “Air Romps” and “Apex Rocket” missions.

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