Lancaster (Total: 7,377, Canadian: 82, Group 82)

Avro Lancaster

Avro Lancaster Mk. X RCAF Serial FM 213
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

YouTube Lancaster Bomber

Wikipedia

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Lancaster NF906, Mk.I

s/n NF906

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 906

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF907, Mk.I

s/n NF907

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 907

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF908, Mk.I

s/n NF908

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 908

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF909, Mk.I

s/n NF909

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 909

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF910, Mk.I

s/n NF910

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 910

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF911, Mk.I

s/n NF911

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 911

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF912, Mk.I

s/n NF912

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 912

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF913, Mk.I

s/n NF913

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 913

Merlin

With No. 103 Sqn (PM-H). Missing on operation to Dessau 7/8 Mar 1945
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-March-08 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class A D Cruickshank 2024-05-22

1945-March-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Samuel Leo Saxe 2021-08-04

1945-March-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Michael Shatzky 2021-08-01

1945-March-08 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant R C Snell 2023-10-01

Lancaster NF914, Mk.I

s/n NF914

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 914

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF915, Mk.I

s/n NF915

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 915

Merlin

Delivered to No. 622 Sqn (GI-U) 18 Aug 1944. Missing on operation to Bonn 24/25 Dec 1944.

Claim by Hptm Werner Baake Stab I/NJG1 - North of Leuchefeuer at 18:50.(Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)Crashed at Grevenbroich.

last update: 2025-February-05

1944-December-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Paterson 2022-01-19

1944-December-24 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Nelson Perdue 2021-08-16

Lancaster NF916, Mk.I

s/n NF916

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 916

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF917, Mk.I

s/n NF917

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 917

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF918, Mk.I

s/n NF918

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 918

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF919, Mk.I

s/n NF919

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 919

Merlin

With No. 50 Sqn. Missing on operation to Darmstadt 11/12 Sep 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-September-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leonard Edward Anderson 2024-11-02

1944-September-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Archibald Stewart McLean 2021-08-17

Lancaster NF920, Mk.I

s/n NF920

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 920

Merlin

Delivered to No. 617 Sqn (KC-E). Took part in the attack on battleship Tirpitz from Russian base at Yagodnik 11/12 Sep 1944. On the second attack on Tirpitz on 29 October 1944, it was damaged by flak and crashed in Sweden.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Tirpitz 1944-10-29 to 1944-10-29

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Lossiemouth

Battleship Tirpitz

The aircraft (KC-E), piloted by Flying Officer DW Carey DFC RAAF, flew from Milltown, Scotland at 01:14, to attack the battleship Tirpitz which had been moved from Alten Fjord to Tromso Fjord in Norway after the partially successful attack by 617 and 9 squadrons on September 11, 1944 (Operation Paravane). On this operation (Operation Obviate) the target was covered in cloud, and despite making several bombing runs, none of the crews could not get a satisfactory view of the target. Thus, none of the bombers scored a hit on the battleship, although there was one near miss. The aircraft was badly damaged by flak and in no condition to make it back to Scotland, so the crew flew it through the mountains to Sweden and crash landed in a bog near Porjus, Lapland . Carey was injured but the rest of the crew were unharmed. They were all interned in Sweden.

There was one Canadian on board, Pilot Officer DH McLennan. The Pilot, Flying Officer DW Carey was with the Royal Australian Air Force, and the remaining crew members were with the RAF. They were Flying Officer GA Witherick DFM, Pilot Officer AM McKie and Flight Sergeants LW Franks and AE Young)

1944-October-29 Interned RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas H. McLennan 2022-09-10

Lancaster NF921, Mk.I

s/n NF921

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 921

Merlin

Delivered to No. 50 Sqn 13 Aug 1944. Missing from operation to Koningsburg 29/30 Aug 1944. 33 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Louis De Vere Conolly 2024-03-27

1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley Robert Frith 2021-08-06

1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Garnet Carlysle Holseth 2021-09-21

1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Eugene Clifford Van Blarcom 2022-01-14

Lancaster NF922, Mk.I

s/n NF922

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 922

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF923, Mk.I

s/n NF923

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 923

Merlin

Delivered to No. 617 Sqn (AJ-M) 13 Aug 1944. Took part in the Tirpitz raid of 14 Sep 1944, from Yagodnik in the USSR (Operation Paravane). Missing on operation to the Dortmund-Ems Canal 23/24 Sep 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Ladbergen (Dortmund-Ems Canal) 1944-09-23 to 1944-09-24

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Woodhall Spa

The aircraft (KC-M), piloted by Flight Lieutenant GS Stout, DFC,RAF was returning to its base at Woodhall Spa from an abortive sortie to the Dortmund-Ems Canal near Ladbergen (they could not bomb because cloud obscured the target markers) . It was attacked by a night fighter, which knocked out three of the engines and started a fire. unable to jettison their Tallboy bomb, the crew abandoned the aircraft and it crashed close to the town of Lochem, the Netherlands . Two of the crew (Flight Lieutenant Stout and Flying Officer CEM Graham, MID, RAF) were killed, and a third (Pilot Officer AW Benting,RAF) died of his wounds on September 25.

There was one Canadian in the crew, Flying Officer WA Rupert, who successfully evaded. Of the other crew members, all in the RAF, Flying Officer RN Petch DFC and Flight Sergeant FL Whittaker evaded, and Flying Officer RJ Allen was taken prisoner.

1944-September-24 Evader RCAF Flying Officer W A Rupert 2022-09-08

Lancaster NF924, Mk.I

s/n NF924

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 924

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF925, Mk.I

s/n NF925

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 925

Merlin

Originally with No. 300 (Polish) Sqn. Transferred to No. 12 Sqn (PH-P) Sep 1944. Missing from Operation to Kleve 7/8 Feb 1945. (Robertson says crashed & burned on this date)
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-February-07 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Thomas Collins 2024-04-29

1945-February-07 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hubert Joseph Macmillan 2021-08-17

1945-February-07 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Hogarth Somerville 2021-07-25

1945-February-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wilfred Charles Wilson 2021-07-07

1945-February-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Arthur Wood 2022-01-12

Lancaster NF926, Mk.I

s/n NF926

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 926

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF927, Mk.I

s/n NF927

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 927

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF928, Mk.I

s/n NF928

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 928

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-October-14 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Roy Lloyd Clearwater 2024-02-29

Lancaster NF929, Mk.I

s/n NF929

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 929

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF930, Mk.I

s/n NF930

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 930

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF931, Mk.I

s/n NF931

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 931

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF932, Mk.I

s/n NF932

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 932

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF933, Mk.I

s/n NF933

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 933

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF934, Mk.I

s/n NF934

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 934

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF935, Mk.I

s/n NF935

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 935

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF936, Mk.I

s/n NF936

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 936

Merlin

Delivered to No. 101 Sqn (SR-F) 16 Aug 1944. Equipped with ABC equipment. Missing on operation to Bochum 4/5 Nov 1944. 142 Operational hours
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-November-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Bernard Zimring 2021-05-30

Lancaster NF937, Mk.I

s/n NF937

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 937

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-L) 16 Aug 1944. Missing on a daylight operation to Attenbeken, Netherlands 14 Feb 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Thomas Rose 2022-01-18

Lancaster NF938, Mk.I

s/n NF938

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 938

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF939, Mk.I

s/n NF939

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 939

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF952, Mk.I

s/n NF952

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 952

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF953, Mk.I

s/n NF953

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 953

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF954, Mk.I

s/n NF954

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 954

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF955, Mk.I

s/n NF955

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 955

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF956, Mk.I

s/n NF956

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 956

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF957, Mk.I

s/n NF957

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 957

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF958, Mk.I

s/n NF958

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 958

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF959, Mk.I

s/n NF959

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 959

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF960, Mk.I

s/n NF960

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 960

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF961, Mk.I

s/n NF961

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 961

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF962, Mk.I

s/n NF962

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 962

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF963, Mk.I

s/n NF963

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 963

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF964, Mk.I

s/n NF964

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 964

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1945-January-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Veral Clarence Bullock 2024-11-23

Lancaster NF965, Mk.I

s/n NF965

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 965

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF966, Mk.I

s/n NF966

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 966

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF967, Mk.I

s/n NF967

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 967

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF968, Mk.I

s/n NF968

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 968

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF969, Mk.I

s/n NF969

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 969

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF970, Mk.I

s/n NF970

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 970

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF971, Mk.I

s/n NF971

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 971

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF972, Mk.I

s/n NF972

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 972

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF973, Mk.I

s/n NF973

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 973

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF974, Mk.I

s/n NF974

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 974

Merlin

Delivered to No. 166 Sqn Aug 1944. Missing on operation to Frankfurt 12/13 Sep 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-September-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harvey George Carson 2024-01-09

1944-September-13 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick James McCahon 2023-09-12

1944-September-13 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank William Walker 2023-08-16

Lancaster NF975, Mk.I

s/n NF975

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 975

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF976, Mk.I

s/n NF976

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 976

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF977, Mk.I

s/n NF977

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 977

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF978, Mk.I

s/n NF978

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 978

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF979, Mk.I

s/n NF979

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 979

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF980, Mk.I

s/n NF980

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 980

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF981, Mk.I

s/n NF981

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 981

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF982, Mk.I

s/n NF982

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 982

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF983, Mk.I

s/n NF983

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 983

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF984, Mk.I

s/n NF984

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 984

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF985, Mk.I

s/n NF985

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 985

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF986, Mk.I

s/n NF986

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 986

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF987, Mk.I

s/n NF987

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 987

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF988, Mk.I

s/n NF988

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 988

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF989, Mk.I

s/n NF989

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 989

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF990, Mk.I

s/n NF990

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 990

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF991, Mk.I

s/n NF991

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 991

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF992, Mk.I

s/n NF992

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 992

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF993, Mk.I

s/n NF993

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 993

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF994, Mk.I

s/n NF994

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 994

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF995, Mk.I

s/n NF995

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 995

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF996, Mk.I

s/n NF996

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 996

Merlin

Delivered to No. 625 Sqn (CF-J2) 20 Oct 1944. Missing on operation to Chemnitz 14/15 Feb 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-February-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Gordon Slocum 2021-07-28

Lancaster NF997, Mk.I

s/n NF997

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 997

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF998, Mk.I

s/n NF998

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 998

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster NF999, Mk.I

s/n NF999

Armstrong Whitworth

NF 999

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Serial Range (clickable)	Count	Manufacturer	Location
L7527-L7584	43	Avro	Manchester UK
R5482-R5917	257	Metropolitan-Vickers	Manchester UK
W4102-W5012	407	Metropolitan-Vickers	Manchester UK
BT308-BT308	1	Avro	Manchester UK
DG595-DG595	1	Avro	Manchester UK
DS601-DS852	200	Armstrong Whitworth	Coventry UK
DT810-DT810	1	Avro	Manchester UK
DV155-DV407	200	Metropolitan-Vickers	Manchester UK
ED303-ED999	537	Avro	Manchester UK
EE105-EE202	83	Avro	Manchester UK
FM100-FM229	130	Victory Aircraft	Malton CA
HK535-HK806	200	Vickers-Armstrongs	Castle Bromwich UK
JA672-JA981	156	Avro	Manchester UK
JB113-JB748	394	Avro	Manchester UK
KB700-KB999	300	Victory Aircraft	Malton CA
LL617-LL977	291	Armstrong Whitworth	Coventry UK
LM100-LM756	509	Avro	Yeadon UK
ME295-ME868	450	Avro	Yeadon UK
ND324-ND996	541	Avro	Manchester UK
NE112-NE181	59	Avro	Manchester UK
NF906-NF999	82	Armstrong Whitworth	Coventry UK
NG113-NG503	318	Armstrong Whitworth	Coventry UK
NN694-NN816	100	Austin Motors	Longbridge UK
NX548-NX794	200	Austin Motors	Longbridge UK
PA158-PA999	271	Vickers-Armstrongs	Chester UK
PB112-PB998	691	Avro	Manchester UK
PD112-PD444	228	Metropolitan-Vickers	Manchester UK
PP663-PP792	100	Vickers-Armstrongs	Castle Bromwich UK
RA500-RA806	121	Metropolitan-Vickers	Manchester UK
RE115-RE226	87	Avro	Yeadon UK
RF120-RF326	170	Armstrong Whitworth	Coventry UK
RT670-RT699	30	Austin Motors	Longbridge UK
SW243-SW377	118	Metropolitan-Vickers	Manchester UK
TW647-TW929	90	Armstrong Whitworth	Coventry UK
TX263-TX273	11	Avro	Yeadon UK
Total ....	7,377

Click to open:

Avro Type 683 Lancaster

General Characteristics
Crew:	7 (typical)
Length:	69 ft 6 in (21.18 m)
Wingspan:	102 ft 0 in (31.09 m)
Height:	20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
Wing area:	1,300 sq ft (120 m2)
Aerofoil:	Root: NACA 23018. Tip: NACA 23012
Empty weight:	36,900 lb (16,738 kg)
Max takeoff weight:	72,000 lb (32,657 kg)
Fuel capacity:	2,154 imp gal (9,792 L)

Powerplants:	Lancaster Mk.I, III, VI, VII & X: 4 x Rolls-Royce, Packard or Ford UK built Merlin XX, 22, 24, 28, 85 or 224 liquid-cooled V-12 piston engines with power output between 1,280 hp (954 kW) and 1,635 hp (1,219 kW) each Lancaster Mk.II: 4 x Bristol Hercules Mk.VI or XVI air-cooled 14-cylinder radial piston engines with power output of 1,615 hp (1,204 kW) each

Propellers:	Lancaster Mk.I, III, VI, VII & X: 3-bladed de Havilland, Hamilton Standard or Nash Kelvinator Hydromatic constant-speed fully feathering metal bladed propellers, 13 ft (3.96 m) diameter Lancaster Mk.II: Rotol electric constant-speed fully feathering wooden bladed propellers, 13 ft (3.96 m) diameter
Performance:
Maximum speed:	Lancaster Mk.I, II, III, VII & X: 287 mph (461 km/h) Lancaster Mk.VI: 315 mph (507 km/h) Cruising speed: 207 mph (333 km/h) Range: 2,530 mi (4,073 km) Service ceiling: 23,500 ft (7,162 m)
Armament:
Standard:	Two 0.303-inch (7.7 mm) Browning Mark II machine guns in: Nash and Thompson FN5 nose and FN50/150 mid-upper turrets, four 0.303-inch Browning Mark II machine guns in Nash and Thompson FN20/120/121 rear turret

Alternative/additional:	Nash and Thompson FN64 ventral turret with two 0.303-inch (7.7 mm) Browning Mark II machine guns Glenn Martin 250CE electrically operated mid-upper turret with two 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine guns (Lancaster Mk.VII and late production Lancaster Mk. X only) Nash and Thompson FN82 rear turret with two 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine guns (Lancaster Mk.VII &late production Lancaster Mk.I only) Rose Brothers Type R rear turret with two 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine guns (late production Lancaster Mk.I & III only) Ventral 0.303-inch (7.7 mm) Browning Mk.II machine gun in a free mount (Lancaster Type 464 only) Ventral 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine gun in a free mount ARI 5559 A.G.L.T. 'Village Inn' Mk.I: Radar guided gun laying system (incorporating Infrared IFF recognition system) fitted to FN121 rear turret with four 0.303-inch (7.7 mm) Browning Mark II machine guns

Bomb loads:	Typical: 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) consisting of varying combinations of 2,000 lb AP, 2,000 lb HC, 4,000 lb HC, 8,000 lb HC, 250 lb, 500 lb, 1,000 lb bombs, or various sizes of incendiary bombs installed in Small Bomb Containers or Cluster Projectiles 1 x 12,000lb (5,443 kg) HC bomb 6 x 1,850 lb (839 kg) Parachute Anti-Shipping Mines Specialized: 1 x 5,500 lb (2,494 kg) Capital Ship Bomb 12 x 500 lb (226 kg) JW 'Johnny Walker' Oscillating Mine 1 x 9,250 lb (4,195 kg) Vickers-Armstrongs Type 464 'Upkeep' revolving depth charge 1 x 12,000lb (5,443 kg) MC Vickers-Armstrongs 'Tallboy' deep penetration bomb 1 x 22,000 lb (9,979 kg) MC Vickers-Armstrongs 'Grand Slam' deep penetration bomb

Communication and navigation equipment:	TR9F: HF R/T radio transceiver TR1196: HF R/T radio transceiver TR1143/SCR522: VHF R/T radio transceiver T1154: Medium and High frequency W/T transmitter R1155: Medium and High frequency W/T & direction finding receiver ARI 5033/5083 GEE Mk.I/II: Radio navigation system ARI 5560/5564 H2S Mk.II/III: Radar navigation/target finding system TR3190/3160 Lucero Mk.I & II: H2S adapter to permit interrogation of radar navigation beacons, Eureka beacons & IFF ARI 5525/5597 GEE-H Mk.I/II: Radio navigation/target finding system AN/APN-4 LORAN: Long range radio navigation system ARI 5148/5514/5582 Oboe Mk.I & II: Radar bomb aiming system AN/AP1 (AYD): Low range radar altimeter SCR-718-C: High range radar altimeter Lorenz Standard Beam Approach: Runway blind approach system

Radio Countermeasures:	ARI 5000/5025/5640 IFF Mk.II & III: Friend or Foe radar identification system ARI 5171/5625/5672/5769 Mandrel: Freya and Wurzburg radar jamming system ARI 5538/5557 Boozer Mk.I & II: Passive radar warning receiver ARI 5122/5281 Monica Mk.I, III & V ('Lulu'): Active tail warning radar Fishpond: Fighter warning radar add-on to H2S Monica-Fishpond ('Fishcake'): Hybrid tail warning radar Tinsel/Special Tinsel: Night fighter radio control jamming system TR3549 Airborne Cigar (ABC): Night fighter radio control jamming system ARI 5549 Carpet II: Wurzburg radar jamming system

Coming Soon!

Ventral Turrets

As originally designed the Lancaster was provided with ventral defence in the form of a Nash and Thompson FN64 turret, which was fitted to some early production aircraft. However, in common with all other periscope sighted ventral turrets, the narrow viewing angle made it almost impossible for gunners to acquire and track targets, and the few turrets which were installed were soon removed from service.

The ventral .50 inch (50 calib) was approved as Lanc Mod.925 during February 1944, and was one of a number of unsuccessful measures taken to counter night fighter attacks from below.

The growth of the Luftwaffe night fighter force was followed by an increase in the in the number of attacks from below, exacerbated from August 1943 onward by the introduction of aircraft equipped with Schrage Musik upward firing 20mm cannon. A number of responses were considered by Bomber Command including a free mounted ventral .50 calibre Browning machine gun, which was approved on the Lancaster as Modification 925 during February 1944.

The modification was very basic, consisting of little more than an enlarged bicycle seat for the gunner and a simple free mounted gun with open sights which fired through the ventral turret/H2S aperture. On aircraft with bulged bomb doors the mounting (often unpainted) was incorporated into the fairing at the rear of the doors.

Non-H2S fitted aircraft were sporadically equipped with the gun from February 1944 onward, although a clear plan for installation appears to have been lacking. The quantity of aircraft which actually had the gun installed is unknown and photos of the mounting with a Browning actually installed are very rare.

Serious problems quickly became apparent, as noted in the following V Group monthly newsletter for April 1944:- "With the gunner strapped in his seat it is difficult to follow the gun round on the beam; it is difficult for the gunner to get his head down behind the sight as it tends to push the oxygen mask upwards on the gunners face; and also considerable vibration is experienced on the sight when the gun is fired."

These problems, plus the gradually more widespread introduction of H2S saw the gun fall out of use quite quickly, although it does appear to have been retained on some aircraft until war's end (most notably in 3 Group).

The quantity of aircraft which actually had the gun installed is unknown and photos of the mounting with a Browning actually installed are very rare.

Notice on these aircraft the extra position in the eight person crew of Mid-Under-Gunner.

CASPIR Resources

External Resources

Avro Lancaster Serial Groups Specifications

Lancaster NF906, Mk.I

Lancaster NF907, Mk.I

Lancaster NF908, Mk.I

Lancaster NF909, Mk.I

Lancaster NF910, Mk.I

Lancaster NF911, Mk.I

Lancaster NF912, Mk.I

Lancaster NF913, Mk.I

Lancaster NF914, Mk.I

Lancaster NF915, Mk.I

Lancaster NF916, Mk.I

Lancaster NF917, Mk.I

Lancaster NF918, Mk.I

Lancaster NF919, Mk.I

Lancaster NF920, Mk.I

Bombing Tirpitz 1944-10-29 to 1944-10-29

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Lossiemouth

Battleship Tirpitz

Lancaster NF921, Mk.I

Lancaster NF922, Mk.I

Lancaster NF923, Mk.I

Bombing Ladbergen (Dortmund-Ems Canal) 1944-09-23 to 1944-09-24

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Woodhall Spa

Lancaster NF924, Mk.I

Lancaster NF925, Mk.I

Lancaster NF926, Mk.I

Lancaster NF927, Mk.I

Lancaster NF928, Mk.I

Lancaster NF929, Mk.I

Lancaster NF930, Mk.I

Lancaster NF931, Mk.I

Lancaster NF932, Mk.I

Lancaster NF933, Mk.I

Lancaster NF934, Mk.I

Lancaster NF935, Mk.I

Lancaster NF936, Mk.I

Lancaster NF937, Mk.I

Lancaster NF938, Mk.I

Lancaster NF939, Mk.I

Lancaster NF952, Mk.I

Lancaster NF953, Mk.I

Lancaster NF954, Mk.I

Lancaster NF955, Mk.I

Lancaster NF956, Mk.I

Lancaster NF957, Mk.I

Lancaster NF958, Mk.I

Lancaster NF959, Mk.I

Lancaster NF960, Mk.I

Lancaster NF961, Mk.I

Lancaster NF962, Mk.I

Lancaster NF963, Mk.I

Lancaster NF964, Mk.I

Lancaster NF965, Mk.I

Lancaster NF966, Mk.I

Lancaster NF967, Mk.I

Lancaster NF968, Mk.I

Lancaster NF969, Mk.I

Lancaster NF970, Mk.I

Lancaster NF971, Mk.I

Lancaster NF972, Mk.I

Lancaster NF973, Mk.I

Lancaster NF974, Mk.I

Lancaster NF975, Mk.I

Lancaster NF976, Mk.I

Lancaster NF977, Mk.I

Lancaster NF978, Mk.I

Lancaster NF979, Mk.I

Lancaster NF980, Mk.I

Lancaster NF981, Mk.I

Lancaster NF982, Mk.I

Lancaster NF983, Mk.I

Lancaster NF984, Mk.I

Lancaster NF985, Mk.I

Lancaster NF986, Mk.I

Lancaster NF987, Mk.I

Lancaster NF988, Mk.I

Lancaster NF989, Mk.I

Avro Lancaster