Avro Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster was a bomber four-engined plane of the Second world war, initially produced by the company Avro for the British air force. Entered in service in 1942, it was built with more than 7000 specimens and was, with the Handley Page Halifax, the principal bomber of Royal Air Force during this period. It was made famous for its bombardments of night.

Design

Avro Lancaster was developed on the basis of twin-engine bomber Manchester. This apparatus, which was not success because its performances were well in-on this side estimates and hopes, failed to ring the knell of Avro. In cause of despair, the chief engineer of Avro decided to modify it to make a four-engined plane of it and thus to improve his performances. By doing this, it transformed a poor bomber into an apparatus which becomes the spearhead of Bending Command until 1945.

This bomber had moreover a capacity of carrying of bombs of two, even three times higher than the similar planes of its time: B-17 or B-24, with about equal performances.

At the beginning of 1944 it could transport a single bomb of almost ten tons, known as Tallboy, Block buster, or Grand slam, according to the objective for which it was intended.

7.377 cells were built in 6 factories.

In France

The common treaty of defense of the Western European Union allows the naval Aéronautique to be equipped with 59 Lancaster for missions of drive, Lutte ASM and help at sea between 1950 and 1962;

Alternatives

B I

first Lancasters were equipped with engines Rolls-Royce Merlin XX and with carburizing KNOWN. Minor details were changed during the production of this series. One can quote, for example, the modification of the design of the head of the Tube of Pitot. B I was also equipped thereafter with Merlin XXII and Merlin XXIV.

B I Special

Version adapted to accommodate the bomb " Tallboy " then the " Large Slam ". The engines are more powerful than the standard version.

PR 1

Version of the B I modified for the photographic recognition. This model was used by Squadrons 82 and 541. The armament and the Turrets were removed with the profit of a nose reconfigured for the recognition and of a camera in the bomb bay.

B I (FE)

to anticipate the needs for the Tiger Force which operated against the Japanese, of the lancasters was " topicalisés" of or the name of the version " FE" (" Far East" , Extrême Is). The central turret was removed, an additional tank was added. Modifications of the radio and radar was also carried out.

B II

B III

B III Special

ASR III/ASR 3

GR. 3/MR 3

B III modified for the maritime recognition.

B IV

B V

Scale increased and longer fuselage. Later this version was remommée Lincoln B 2

B VI

B VII

B X

Gallery

Random links: