1940 - 1945

Photo: Alan Raine • Used with permission

Avro Lancaster

NN

The Avro Lancaster is a British Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax and Short Stirling, all three aircraft being four engined heavy bombers adopted by the RAF during World War 2.

NN

The Lancaster has its origins in the twin-engine Avro Manchester which had been developed during the late 1930's in response to the Air Ministry's need for a capable medium bomber for "world-wide use".

NN

Originally developed as an evolution of the Manchester (which had proved troublesome in service and was retired in 1942), the Lancaster was designed by Roy Chadwick and powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. It first saw service with RAF Bomber Command in 1942 and as the strategic bombing offensive over Europe gathered momentum, it was the main aircraft for the night time bombing campaigns that followed. As increasing numbers of the type were produced, it became the principal heavy bomber used by the RAF, the RCAF and squadrons from other Commonwealth and European countries serving within the RAF, overshadowing the Halifax and Stirling.

NN

A long, unobstructed bomb bay meant that the Lancaster could take

the largest bombs used by the RAF, including the 4,000 lb, 8,000 lb

and 12,000 lb blockbusters - loads often supplemented with smaller

bombs or incendiaries. The "Lanc", as it was known , became one

of the most heavily used of the Second World War night bombers,

"delivering 608,612 long tons of bombs in 156,000 sorties".

NN

The versatility of the Lancaster was such that it was chosen to

equip 617 Squadron and was modified to carry the Upkeep

"bouncing bomb" designed by Barnes Wallis for Operation

Chastise, the attack on German Ruhr valley dams.

NN

Although the Lancaster was primarily a night bomber, it excelled

in many other roles, including daylight precision bombing, for

which some Lancaster's were adapted to carry the 12,000 lb

Tallboy and then the 22,000 lb Grand Slam earthquake bombs

(also designed by Wallis). This was the largest payload of any

bomber in the war.

NN

Source: Wikipedia

Excerpt from a crew members log book

Photo: Cpl Phil Major ABIPP/MOD • Open Government Licence version 1.0