I remember being taken to an airshow by my uncle in 1968. At that time there were probably fewer WW2 British comabt aircraft flying than there is now.

There are only as many as there are in the UK because during the 80s a lot of baby boomers got rich and started buying them and restoring them to flying condition. Yes, they are a part of history and evocative of an earlier, heroic time but apart from the few aircraft maintained by the armed forces (including the Lancaster) they are now also rich men's toys. Rather sad, really.