Lancaster (Total: 7,377, Canadian: 83, Group 83)
Avro Lancaster

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
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, both bombers having been developed to the same specification, as well as the Short Stirling, all three aircraft being four-engined heavy bombers adopted by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the same wartime era.
The Lancaster has its origins in the twin-engine Avro Manchester which had been developed during the late 1930s in response to the Air Ministry Specification P.13/36 for a capable medium bomber for "world-wide use". 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 Merlins and in one version, Bristol Hercules 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 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and squadrons from other Commonwealth and European countries serving within the RAF, overshadowing the Halifax and Stirling. Wikipedia
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE105
s/n EE105
Avro
EE 105
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE106
s/n EE106
Avro
EE 106
Merlin
Known Units: ;619
last update: 2025-June-06
Bombing Antheor Viaduct France 1943-09-16 to 1943-09-16
(B) Sqn (RAF) Woodhall Spa
British National Archives, Kew (AIR 50/281/217) have the following "Report on Loss of Aircraft on Operations" covering incident in which he was in crew:
Aircraft: Lancaster EE106 - "E" of 619 Squadron.
Date of Loss: 16/17 September 1943
Cause of Loss: Lack of fuel followed by ditching; probable navigational error.
Target: Anthor Viaduct
Information from all members of the crew: Pilot: Flight Lieutenant Jones, S.E.J., captain; Navigator: Flying Officer Holding, A.D.; Wireless Operator: Flight Sergeant Faux, R.G.; Flight Engineer: Sergeant Brooks, H.E.; Bomb Aimer: Sergeant Descaine, E.; Air Gunner, Mid-Upper: Sergeant Cook, C.S.; Air Gunner, Rear: Flying Officer Cartwright, A.W.E.P.
Briefed Route: Selsey Bill - Cabourg - 47.35N 00.45E - 45.12N 05.42E - Cap Ferrat - Antheor Viaduct - St. Raphael - 46.30N 01.00E - 46.30N 02.30W - 46.15N 05.50W - Predannack.
Narrative:
GEE was unsatisfactory on the outward journey up to about 4ÌŠ E when it came on and was serviceable as far as approximately 6ÌŠ E when it again became unserviceable. GEE showed the aircraft to be about 30 miles north of the track and the course was corrected. The Met forecast gave winds of 30-40 m.p.h. on the outward journey and light and variable at the target, but it was estimated that the wind was backing from westerly to southerly and increasing to 70-80 m.p.h. The speed was kept at 155 I.A.S. as instructed for the outward journey and the compass was checked.
The aircraft crossed the coast at Cap Ferrat and circled the rendevous island until the squadron had assembled. E/619 was due at the renndevous at 00.30 hours and the E.T.A. was 00.40 hours. The aircraft was the last to bomb the target at 1.20 hours from 300 feet, the target being identified visually. A small amount of light flak was encountered but no damage was noticed at the time. Delayed action bombs were used and no results were observed.
Height was gained over the sea to 6,000 feet and the compass was checked (method not given). Course was set 288ÌŠto allow for an estimated 60 m.p.h. southerly wind. There is some possible confusion here, in the story as told as to whether courses were "True" or "Magnetic". The Navigator sais "True" while the pilot at first said "Magnetic" but they finally agreed that "True" was correct. The aircraft climbed to 12,000 feet for the homeward journey and entered cloud at 8,000-12,000 feet, flying in cloud continually until the descent was made later at the estimated position of the French coast. GEE was unserviceable and the navigation was all by dead reckoning. As the winds to the north has been westerly and lighter on the outward journey, course was altered to 295ÌŠ between Long. 2ÌŠand 3ÌŠE. At the outward position by D.R. of 46.30N 01.08E course was altered to 270ÌŠ at an estimated time of between 03.45 hours and 04.00 hours.
At the E.T.A. French coast (04.15 hours) they descended and broke cloud at 6,000 feet, expecting to cross the French coast. Instead they found themselves over a lighted town which they thought must be in Spain and it was realized for the first time they were off track. Course was altered to 330ÌŠ for about 50 minutes and an M.F. fix was then asked for (approximately 05.05 hours). As Plympton was unable to plot they they were given a Q.T.E. of 200ÌŠ from Plympton (05.30 hours). At this time they were still inland. The coast was crossed at 05.50 hours and an S.O.S. fix was asked for. No reply was received except letter "K" reported. It is noted here that the last was heard of E/619 by the home base was a fix at 05.55 hours, position [mutilated word] 43.N 06.17E which E/619 did not receive.
The upper sky cleared and they were able to get an Astrofix 120 miles W.N.W. of Santander. (Black plotting from this would indicate that the course to the lighted town may have been about 50ÌŠ off the briefed route).
The Flight Engineer checked the petrol and it was found to be only sufficient to reach approximately 48ÌŠ N. Latitude, near the Brest peninsula. The captain decided that, rather than be forced down in enemy waters, it was preferable to proceed in the direction of Gibralter, though he did not hope to reach it. As they had no map of Spain they followed round the coast about five miles off.
About 12 miles north of Operto (time approximately 07.00-07.15 hours), it was decided to land and, as there was a heavy ground haze over the land, it was considered preferable to come down on the sea. The electrical apparatus was destroyed (V.H.F., I.F.F., GEE and MONICA) and the aircraft was put down on the sea about 200 yards off shore. The crew took to the dinghy but were picked up and taken to shore by some Portugese fishermen.
The aircraft was washed ashore and some light flak damage holes were found in the port mainplane, probably from the Viaduct defences as the crew did not think they were fired vat over Spain. The crew were soon taken in charge by the authorities and removed, but as far as they are aware no attempt at salvage was made by the Portugese authorities and they presume that the aircraft was allowed to lie and be broken up by the sea.
The following additional information was obtained from the crew. Prior to the operation the aircraft had been on a three-day inspection and compass check, and had not been flown since. The fuel load was 2,150 gallons. Three runs were made over the Target Area at high boost and high revs. No other use of high boost or hot air was made. There was no excessive climbing apart from that planned and only slight hoar frost on the windows was observed.source: Hugh Halliday
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE107
s/n EE107
Avro
EE 107
Merlin
Known Units: 97 Sqn
Originally with No. 97 Sqn (OF-F, later OF-L) May-Jun 1943. Transferred to No. 100 Sqn (HW-U) Oct 1943. Further transferred to No. 550 Sqn Dec 1943. Missing on operation to Magdeburg 21/22 Jan 1944.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE108
s/n EE108
Avro
EE 108
Merlin
Known Units: 156 Sqn;156 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE109
s/n EE109
Avro
EE 109
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE110
s/n EE110
Avro
EE 110
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE111
s/n EE111
Avro
EE 111
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE112
s/n EE112
Avro
EE 112
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE113
s/n EE113
Avro
EE 113
Merlin
Known Units: ;619
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE114
s/n EE114
Avro
EE 114
Merlin
Known Units: ;619
Delivered to No. 619 Sqn May 1943 (PG-B). Damaged 16 Jun 1943. Missing on operation to Leipzig 20/21 Oct 1943last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE115
s/n EE115
Avro
EE 115
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE116
s/n EE116
Avro
EE 116
Merlin
Known Units: 61
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE117
s/n EE117
Avro
EE 117
Merlin
Known Units: ;619
Delivered to No. 619 Sqn (PG-L) May 1943. Missing on the Peenemunde raid 17/18 Aug 1943. 159 operational hours. 38th aircraft shot down of the 40 lost on this operation (Middlebrook).last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE118
s/n EE118
Avro
EE 118
Merlin
Known Units: 156
Delivered from N. 32 MU to No. 156 Sqn 22 Jun 1943. Crashed at Wimbotsham, Norfolk, England in bad weather on return from a raid on Bochum 28/29 Sep 1944.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE119
s/n EE119
Avro
EE 119
Merlin
Known Units: 7 Sqn;7 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE120
s/n EE120
Avro
EE 120
Merlin
Known Units: PNTU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE121
s/n EE121
Avro
EE 121
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE122
s/n EE122
Avro
EE 122
Merlin
Known Units: ;156
Delivered to No. 9 Squadron (WS-F) then passed to No. 156 Sqn. Missing from raid on Cologne 16/17 Jun 1943last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE123
s/n EE123
Avro
EE 123
Merlin
Known Units: ;44
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE124
s/n EE124
Avro
EE 124
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE125
s/n EE125
Avro
EE 125
Merlin
Known Units: ;106
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE126
s/n EE126
Avro
EE 126
Merlin
Known Units: 207 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE127
s/n EE127
Avro
EE 127
Merlin
Known Units: ;156
To No. 156 Sqn via 32 MU, Jun 1943. Missing on operation to Elberfeld, 24/25 Jun 1943. 6 Operational hourslast update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE128
s/n EE128
Avro
EE 128
Merlin
Known Units: 1661 HCU; PNTU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE129
s/n EE129
Avro
EE 129
Merlin
Known Units: 7 Sqn
Started with No. 83 Sqn. Then with No. 7 Sqn (MG-V). Missing on operation to Berlin 1/2 Feb 1944. 311 operational hours. Mason gives MG-Ylast update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE130
s/n EE130
Avro
EE 130
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE131
s/n EE131
Avro
EE 131
Merlin
Known Units: 617 Sqn;617 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE132
s/n EE132
Avro
EE 132
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE133
s/n EE133
Avro
EE 133
Merlin
Known Units: 12 Sqn;12 Sqn;626 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE134
s/n EE134
Avro
EE 134
Merlin
Known Units: 1 LFC;619 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE135
s/n EE135
Avro
EE 135
Merlin
Known Units: ;467
last update: 2025-June-06
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-09-24 to 1943-09-24
467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Bottesford, Lincolnshire, England
467 Australia Squadron. Lancaster aircraft EE 135 was shot down near Mannheim, Germany during a night trip to Essen, Germany. RCAF W/O II M.C. Craik and FS H.A. Green was killed. Five of the remaining non-Canadian crew were also killed: RAF Flt. Sgt's. T.T. Francis and J.B. Harrison; and RAAF Pilot Officer A. Long and Flt. Sgt. O.J. Lumsden.Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE136
s/n EE136
Avro
EE 136
Merlin
Known Units: 1659 HCU;9 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE137
s/n EE137
Avro
EE 137
Merlin
Known Units: 101 Sqn
Delivered to No. 101 Sqn (SR-A) Aug 1943. Re-coded SR-U. Transferred to No. 166 Sqn Oct 1943. Missing on operation to Brunswick 14/15 Jan 1944.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE138
s/n EE138
Avro
EE 138
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE139
s/n EE139
Avro
EE 139
Merlin
Known Units: 100 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE140
s/n EE140
Avro
EE 140
Merlin
Known Units: 100 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE141
s/n EE141
Avro
EE 141
Merlin
Known Units: 207 Sqn
Delivered to No. 207 Sqn (EM-P) 31 May 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 16/17 Dec 1943. 385 operational hours.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE142
s/n EE142
Avro
EE 142
Merlin
Known Units: 12 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE143
s/n EE143
Avro
EE 143
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE144
s/n EE144
Avro
EE 144
Merlin
Known Units: 617
Delivered to No. 617 Sqn 31 May 1943 (AJ-S). The aircraft was shot down en route to the Dortmund-Ems Canal. The aircraft had also been on operations to Italy on the 24 and 29 July, piloted by Flight Lieutenant H.B. "Micky" Martin,DFC & Bar.last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dortmund-Ems Canal Germany 1943-09-15 to 1943-09-16
617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Coningsby
Lancaster aircraft EE 144 (AJ-S) was flying over Germany en route to the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen, Germany , at a height 300 feet when it was hit by light flak and and crashed at Nordhorn, Germany . The 12,000 pound bomb the aircraft was carrying blew up: all of the crew were killed.
Two Canadians were in the crew, Flight Lieutenant TH Taerum DFC and Flying Officer GA Deering DFC. The remaining members of the crew (Squadron Leader G Holden DSO, DFC , Sergeant D Powell MiD, Flying Officer HJ Pringle DFC, Pilot Officer T Meikle DFM and Flight Lieutenant R Hutchison DFC & Bar) were in the RAF, with the exception of Flying Officer SF Spafford DFC, DFM, who was in the Royal Australian Air Force. Taerum, Deering, Hutchison and Spafford has been in Guy Gibson's crew when he led the Dams raid of 16/17 May 1943.
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE145
s/n EE145
Avro
EE 145
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE146
s/n EE146
Avro
EE 146
Merlin
Known Units: 617 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE147
s/n EE147
Avro
EE 147
Merlin
Known Units: 617;619
Originally with No. 617 Sqn (AJ-L), then transferred to No. 619 Sqn (PG-P) May 1943. Missing on the operation to Peenemunde 17/18 August 1943 to destroy the V2 rocket development centre. It was the 29th aircraft lost on this raid. The crew were on their 9th operation.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE148
s/n EE148
Avro
EE 148
Merlin
Known Units: 626 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE149
s/n EE149
Avro
EE 149
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE150
s/n EE150
Avro
EE 150
Merlin
Known Units: 617 Sqn;619 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE166
s/n EE166
Avro
EE 166
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE167
s/n EE167
Avro
EE 167
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE168
s/n EE168
Avro
EE 168
Merlin
Known Units: 97 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE169
s/n EE169
Avro
EE 169
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE170
s/n EE170
Avro
EE 170
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE171
s/n EE171
Avro
EE 171
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE172
s/n EE172
Avro
EE 172
Merlin
Known Units: 97
Delivered to No. 97 Sqn (OF-O) Jun 1943. Missing on operation to Hamburg 29/30 Jul 1943. This was the 3rd night of the Battle of Hamburg. The aircraft was shot down by a fighter, and was the 23rd casualty of the night, when 31 aircraft were lost or crashed in England. The crew were on their 28th operation (Middlebrook).last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE173
s/n EE173
Avro
EE 173
Merlin
Known Units: 207 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE174
s/n EE174
Avro
EE 174
Merlin
Known Units: 97;39 MU;50
Originally with No. 97 Sqn, then to No. 39 MU, then to 50 Sqn in Mar 1944. Lost on the ill-fated operation to Nuremberg 30/31 Mar 1944, when 108 aircraft were lost or written off. This aircraft was the 70th to be shot down (Middlebrook).last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE175
s/n EE175
Avro
EE 175
Merlin
Known Units: 83 Sqn
Delivered to No. 7 Sqn, then transferred to No. 83 Sqn (OL-C). Then to No. 207 Sqn (EM-S) in October 1943. Missing on operation to Kassel 22/23 Oct 1943.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE176
s/n EE176
Avro
EE 176
Merlin
Known Units: 1653 HCU;97 Sqn;97 Sqn;61 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE177
s/n EE177
Avro
EE 177
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE178
s/n EE178
Avro
EE 178
Merlin
Known Units: 156 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE179
s/n EE179
Avro
EE 179
Merlin
Known Units: ;44
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE180
s/n EE180
Avro
EE 180
Merlin
Known Units: ;100
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE181
s/n EE181
Avro
EE 181
Merlin
Known Units: 100 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE182
s/n EE182
Avro
EE 182
Merlin
Known Units:
A/C on Loan from Air Ministry (RAF). Used for cold weather trials by Test & Development Establishment, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. Reported at Kapuskasing, Ontario on 14 April 1944.last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-10 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1948-March-04 to RAF Returned to RAF 2019-08-20
1948-March-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE183
s/n EE183
Avro
EE 183
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE184
s/n EE184
Avro
EE 184
Merlin
Known Units: 44 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE185
s/n EE185
Avro
EE 185
Merlin
Known Units: 44 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE186
s/n EE186
Avro
EE 186
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE187
s/n EE187
Avro
EE 187
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE188
s/n EE188
Avro
EE 188
Merlin
Known Units: 9 Sqn
Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-B) 14 Jun 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 16/17 Dec 1943.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE189
s/n EE189
Avro
EE 189
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE190
s/n EE190
Avro
EE 190
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE191
s/n EE191
Avro
EE 191
Merlin
Known Units: 463 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE192
s/n EE192
Avro
EE 192
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE193
s/n EE193
Avro
EE 193
Merlin
Known Units: 57 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE194
s/n EE194
Avro
EE 194
Merlin
Known Units: ;467
last update: 2025-June-06
Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1943-08-28 to 1943-08-28
467 () () RAF Bottesford, Lincolnshire, England
467 Australia Squadron. Lancaster aircraft EE 194 was shot down near Mausdorf, Germany during night operations, an attack against Nuremberg, Germany. Killed were RCAF Sgt. W.E. Hogarth; RAAF Flt. Sgt's. A.S. Dodson, R.H. Hallam, B. Kerlin, and A.F. Loxton; and RAF Sgt's. J.A. Beck and E.A. Murray.Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE195
s/n EE195
Avro
EE 195
Merlin
Known Units: 12 Sqn
Delivered to No. 12 Sqn 16 Jan 1943. Missing on raid to Cologne 28/29 Jun 1943.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE196
s/n EE196
Avro
EE 196
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE197
s/n EE197
Avro
EE 197
Merlin
Known Units: 57 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE198
s/n EE198
Avro
EE 198
Merlin
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE199
s/n EE199
Avro
EE 199
Merlin
Known Units: 12 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE200
s/n EE200
Avro
EE 200
Merlin
Known Units: 166 Sqn;7 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE201
s/n EE201
Avro
EE 201
Merlin
Known Units: PNTU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.I/III serial EE202
s/n EE202
Avro
EE 202
Merlin
Known Units: 12 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06