The Avro Lancaster 

The Avro Lancaster had quite a good reputation during the war. This four engined puppy had a huge bomb bay, capable of carrying heavy bombs and bomb-loads. Amongst others, it was the vehicle of squadron 617 during their famous Dam Buster operations. Also, it was the only Allied bomber capable of carrying the huge 22,000 lb (10.000 kg) Grand Slam bomb. The RAF Bomber Command crews loved the aircraft because it was maneuverable and could take a heavy punishment.

After it's introduction in March 1942 it quickly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command.

Versions:

• Avro Lancaster Mk I
• Other Avro Lancaster versions

Further pictures:

Avro Lancaster in full flight

Technical data on the Avro Lancaster B.Mk III

Powerplant	4 × Rolls Royce Merlin 28 or 38 inverted-Vee, rated at 1460 hp (1088.42 kW) each		Role during war	Heavy Bomber
Length	68 ft 10 inch with the tail down		Height	20 ft 4 inch with the tail down
Empty weight	41000 lb		Operational weight	68000 lb typical, 72000 lb max
Wing Span	102 ft 0 inch		Wing Aspect ratio	8
Wing Area	1300 sq ft		Service ceiling	24500 ft
Maximum speed	281 mph at 11000 ft		Cruising speed	227 mph at optimum altitude
Initial climb rate	Climb to 20,000 ft in 41 min 24 sec		Range	1040 miles typical
Fuel capacity internal	2,154 Imp gal (2,586 US gal), plus provision for one or two weapons bays tanks of 400 Imp gal (480 US gal) each		Fuel capacity external	-
Machine guns	2 × 0.303 in trainable forward firing guns in nose turret, 1000 rounds each 2 × 0.303 in trainable guns in the dorsal turret, 1000 rounds each 4 × 0.303 in trainable rearward-firing guns in the tail turret, 2500 rounds each		Cannons	-
Bomb load	Up to 14,000 lb in 1 lower fuselage weapons bay, and generally consisting of either: 1 × 12,000 lb bomb 1 × 8,000 lb bomb, plus 6 × 500 lb bombs 1 × 4,000 lb bomb, plus 6 × 1,000 lb bombs, plus 2 × 250 lb bombs 6 × 2,000 lb bombs, plus 3 × 250 lb bombs 6 × 1,500 lb mines 14 × 1,000 lb bombs		Torpedoes/rockets	-
Crew	7: Pilot, co-pilot, navigator/observer, bombardier/gunner, radio operator, and 2 gunners		Naval or ground based	Ground
First flight (prototype)	9 Januari 1941		Operational Service	1942 - 1950's
Manufacturer	A. V. Roe and Company Ltd.		Number produced	7374 total, 3030 this version

Metric system

Length	20.98 m with the tail down		Height	6.2 m with the tail down
Empty weight	18598 kg		Operational weight	30845 kg typical, 32659 kg max
Wing Span	31.09 m		Wing Aspect ratio	8
Wing Area	120.77 m²		Service ceiling	7468 m
Maximum speed	452 km/h at 3353 m		Cruising speed	365 km/h at optimum altitude
Initial climb rate	Climb to 9065 m in 41 min 24 sec		Range	1674 km typical
Fuel capacity internal	9792 liters, plus provision for one or two weapons bays tanks of 1818 liters each		Fuel capacity external	-
Machine guns	2 × 7,7 mm trainable forward firing guns in nose turret, 1000 rounds each 2 × 7,7 mm trainable guns in the dorsal turret, 1000 rounds each 4 × 7,7 mm trainable rearward-firing guns in the tail turret, 2500 rounds each		Cannons	-
Bomb load	Up to 6350 kg in 1 lower fuselage weapons bay, and generally consisting of either: 1 × 5448 kg bomb 1 × 3632 kg bomb, plus 6 × 227 kg bombs 1 × 1814 kg bomb, plus 6 × 454 kg bombs, plus 2 × 113 kg bombs 6 × 907 kg bombs, plus 3 × 113 kg bombs 6 × 681 kg mines 14 × 454 kg bombs		Torpedoes/rockets	-

Here is a quick overview of all different versions, without the full technical specifications:

Remarks:

The Lancaster was vital for some of the most daring and remarkable bombing missions of the war. It was instrumental for the Dam Buster operations on May 17 and 18, 1943. Also, quite a number operated from Canada and Australia.

Furthermore was the Lancaster the only World War 2 bomber capable of carrying the Tall-boy or Grand Slam bombs.
Some statistical information: Lancasters have flown some 156,000 sorties, and dropped about 609,000 tons of bombs

Strengths:

• Highly maneuverable (for an aircraft of that size), enabling it to outmaneuver German nightfighters
• Well armoured, capable of sustaining heavy damage
• Huge bombloads

Weaknesses:

• Not one of the fastest bombers available

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