Lancaster (Total: 7,377, Canadian: 100, Group 100)

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

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN694

s/n NN694

Austin Motors

NN 694

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN695

s/n NN695

Austin Motors

NN 695

Merlin

Known Units: ;619

last update: 2025-June-06

1944-May-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Sigmund Bernard Bandur 2024-11-07

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN696

s/n NN696

Austin Motors

NN 696

Merlin

Known Units: 57

Delivered to No. 57 Sqn from No. 32 MU 24 May 1944. Missing on operation to Wesseling 21/22 Jun 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Edward Henry Goehring 2021-08-07

1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Henry Mayne 2021-09-23

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN697

s/n NN697

Austin Motors

NN 697

Merlin

Known Units: 44 Sqn

Delivered to No. 44 Sqn (KM-R) 25 May 1944. Missing on operation to Etampes, France 9/10 Jun 1944. 25 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Lawrence O'Neill 2023-12-17

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN698

s/n NN698

Austin Motors

NN 698

Merlin

Known Units: 90 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN699

s/n NN699

Austin Motors

NN 699

Merlin

Known Units: 625 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN700

s/n NN700

Austin Motors

NN 700

Merlin

Known Units: 15 Sqn

Delivered to No. 15 Sqn (LS-Q) 15 July 1944. Missing on operation to Rocquecourt 7/8 Aug 1944. 58 Operational hours
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-August-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Bernard Hartley Wrenshall 2022-01-02

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN701

s/n NN701

Austin Motors

NN 701

Merlin

Known Units: 429 Sqn;57 Sqn

Operated by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded AL*T. Used on operations, 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Edward West 2021-07-09

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN702

s/n NN702

Austin Motors

NN 702

Merlin

Known Units: 630 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN703

s/n NN703

Austin Motors

NN 703

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN704

s/n NN704

Austin Motors

NN 704

Merlin

Known Units: 218 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN705

s/n NN705

Austin Motors

NN 705

Merlin

Known Units: 101 Sqn

Delivered to No. 101 Sqn (SR-O) from No. 32 MU. Equipped with ABC radio jamming equipment. Missing on operation to Russelsheim 26 Aug 1944. 22 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-August-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Ross 2021-04-20

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN706

s/n NN706

Austin Motors

NN 706

Merlin

Known Units: 115

Delivered to No. 115 Sqn 18 Aug 1944. Missing on daylight operation to Dortmund 15 Nov 1944. 168 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-November-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kerry Milton Crayston 2024-09-16

1944-November-15 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John William Davidson 2024-09-15

1944-November-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Reginald Dunford 2024-09-15

1944-November-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Nelson Page 2024-09-15

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN707

s/n NN707

Austin Motors

NN 707

Merlin

Known Units: 166 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN708

s/n NN708

Austin Motors

NN 708

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN709

s/n NN709

Austin Motors

NN 709

Merlin

Known Units: 622 Sqn;44 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN710

s/n NN710

Austin Motors

NN 710

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN711

s/n NN711

Austin Motors

NN 711

Merlin

Known Units: 576 Sqn

At 1851 hours on the night of 23 September 1944, Lancaster NN711 took off from Elsham
Wolds, detailed to bomb Neuss, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after takeoff and it failed to return to base. The aircraft crashed at 2020 hours about 1km south east of Kapellen on the southern outskirts of Moers, Germany, and all the crew members were killed.
The crew members of NN711 were:
Sergeant Charles John Brady (R/170692) (RCAF) (Air Bomber)
Flying Officer Stanley Frederick Durrant (151718) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Flying Officer James Johnstone (153834) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
Sergeant James Gordon Mackey (R/216220) (RCAF) (Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant James Robert McIntyre (426653) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sergeant Ronald Ernest Pearce (1880404) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Sergeant David Spowart (1567579) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-September-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles John Brady 2025-02-20

1944-September-24 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Gordon Mackey 2025-02-20

1944-September-24 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant James Robert McIntyre 2025-02-20

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN712

s/n NN712

Austin Motors

NN 712

Merlin

Known Units: 12 Sqn

Delivered to No. 12 Sqn (PH-A) 2 Sep 1944. Missing on operation to Zeitz 16/17 Jan 1945. 19 Operations
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lawrence William Ferguson 2024-05-26

1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Austin Lynch Staley 2023-10-01

1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Stuart Paul Whyte 2024-07-12

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN713

s/n NN713

Austin Motors

NN 713

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN714

s/n NN714

Austin Motors

NN 714

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN715

s/n NN715

Austin Motors

NN 715

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN716

s/n NN716

Austin Motors

NN 716

Merlin

Known Units: 218 Sqn;218 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN717

s/n NN717

Austin Motors

NN 717

Merlin

Known Units: 138 Sqn;138 Sqn;138 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN718

s/n NN718

Austin Motors

NN 718

Merlin

Known Units: 514 Sqn;300 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN719

s/n NN719

Austin Motors

NN 719

Merlin

Known Units: 100 Sqn;106 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN720

s/n NN720

Austin Motors

NN 720

Merlin

Known Units: 189 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN721

s/n NN721

Austin Motors

NN 721

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN722

s/n NN722

Austin Motors

NN 722

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN723

s/n NN723

Austin Motors

NN 723

Merlin

Known Units: 619 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN724

s/n NN724

Austin Motors

NN 724

Merlin

Known Units: 207 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN725

s/n NN725

Austin Motors

NN 725

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN726

s/n NN726

Austin Motors

NN 726

Merlin

Known Units: 106 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN739

s/n NN739

Austin Motors

NN 739

Merlin

Known Units: 170 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN740

s/n NN740

Austin Motors

NN 740

Merlin

Known Units: 195 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN741

s/n NN741

Austin Motors

NN 741

Merlin

Known Units: 12 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN742

s/n NN742

Austin Motors

NN 742

Merlin

Known Units: 150 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN743

s/n NN743

Austin Motors

NN 743

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN744

s/n NN744

Austin Motors

NN 744

Merlin

Known Units: 170 Sqn;170 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN745

s/n NN745

Austin Motors

NN 745

Merlin

Known Units: ;75

With No. 75 (NZ) Sqn 4 Nov 1944. Mason gives Missing on daylight operation to Homburg (not gardening to Oslo) 20 Nov 1944. (Robertson gives "damaged" on this date). 17 Operational hours
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Andrew Roy Wright 2021-07-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN746

s/n NN746

Austin Motors

NN 746

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN747

s/n NN747

Austin Motors

NN 747

Merlin

Known Units: 75 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN748

s/n NN748

Austin Motors

NN 748

Merlin

Known Units: 625 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN749

s/n NN749

Austin Motors

NN 749

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN750

s/n NN750

Austin Motors

NN 750

Merlin

Known Units: 576 Sqn

Delivered to No. 576 Sqn 7 Nov 1944. Crashed at Manston on returning from operation to Bonn 28 Dec 1944
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-December-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Warren 2021-12-31

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN751

s/n NN751

Austin Motors

NN 751

Merlin

Known Units: 619 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN752

s/n NN752

Austin Motors

NN 752

Merlin

Known Units: 150 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN753

s/n NN753

Austin Motors

NN 753

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN754

s/n NN754

Austin Motors

NN 754

Merlin

Known Units: 195 Sqn;115 Sqn;115 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN755

s/n NN755

Austin Motors

NN 755

Merlin

Known Units: 195 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN756

s/n NN756

Austin Motors

NN 756

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN757

s/n NN757

Austin Motors

NN 757

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN758

s/n NN758

Austin Motors

NN 758

Merlin

Known Units: ;103

With 103 Sqn. Damaged 20/21 Feb 1945. Missing from operation to Nuremburg 16/17 Mar 1945
last update: 2025-February-13

Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1945-03-16 to 1945-03-17

103 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Elsham Wolds

103 Squadron (Noli me tangere) RAF Elsham Wolds. Lancaster I aircraft NN 758 PM-S was shot down by night fighter pilot Feldwebel Joseph Brunner of 10/NJG6, crashing two miles north of Laichingen, Germany during a night operation against targets in Nuremberg, Germany

Only one crew member survived the loss of this aircraft

Flight Lieutenant Alastair Clarence Watt (RCAF), Flight Sergeant William Henry Fetherston (RCAF), Pilot Officer Albert Edward Wotherspoon (RCAF), Flight Sergeant George William Blackshaw (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant James Stanley Hickey (RAFVR) and Sergeant James Frederick Jackson (RAFVR) were all killed in action

Flight Sergeant Albert Charles Bellisle (RCAF) bailed out and survived to be taken as Prisoner of War

Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1945 1 January - 3 May by Theo Boiten, page 83

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Al Watt 103 Sqn

1945-March-17 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Charles Bellisle 2025-02-12

1945-March-17 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant George William Blackshaw 2025-02-12

1945-March-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Henry Fetherston 2025-02-12

1945-March-17 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant James Stanley Hickey 2025-02-12

1945-March-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Frederick Jackson 2025-02-12

1945-March-17 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Alastair Clarence Watt 2025-02-12

1945-March-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Edward Wotherspoon 2025-02-12

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN759

s/n NN759

Austin Motors

NN 759

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN760

s/n NN760

Austin Motors

NN 760

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn;149 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN761

s/n NN761

Austin Motors

NN 761

Merlin

Known Units: 90 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN762

s/n NN762

Austin Motors

NN 762

Merlin

Known Units: 90 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN763

s/n NN763

Austin Motors

NN 763

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN764

s/n NN764

Austin Motors

NN 764

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN765

s/n NN765

Austin Motors

NN 765

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN766

s/n NN766

Austin Motors

NN 766

Merlin

Known Units: ;103

Delivered to No. 103 Sqn 11 Dec 1944. Missing on operation to Munich 7/8 Jan 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-January-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Fletcher Campbell 2024-01-25

1945-January-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Meyer Greenstein 2024-01-25

1945-January-07 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Millard Henderson Horne 2024-01-25

1945-January-07 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ralph James Lougheed 2024-01-25

1945-January-07 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William John McArthur 2024-01-25

1945-January-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Joseph McAulay 2024-01-25

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN767

s/n NN767

Austin Motors

NN 767

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN768

s/n NN768

Austin Motors

NN 768

Merlin

Known Units: 44 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN769

s/n NN769

Austin Motors

NN 769

Merlin

Known Units: 57 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN770

s/n NN770

Austin Motors

NN 770

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN771

s/n NN771

Austin Motors

NN 771

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN772

s/n NN772

Austin Motors

NN 772

Merlin

Known Units: 514 Sqn

Delivered to No. 514 Sqn (JI-C2) 3 Jan 1945. Missing on operation to Wiesbaden 2/3 Feb 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-February-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Eugene McLean 2024-06-20

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN773

s/n NN773

Austin Motors

NN 773

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN774

s/n NN774

Austin Motors

NN 774

Merlin

Known Units: 630 Sqn;106 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN775

s/n NN775

Austin Motors

NN 775

Merlin

Known Units: 514 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN776

s/n NN776

Austin Motors

NN 776

Merlin

Known Units: 514 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN777

s/n NN777

Austin Motors

NN 777

Merlin

Known Units:

Operated by No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*F". Crash landed at Dishforth, UK on 15 March 1945, while returning from mission to Zweibruken. Controls locked up and refused to respond. Crew was able to belly land the aircraft.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-March-15 Accident Crash Crash landed near Dishforth, UK. 2019-08-20

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN778

s/n NN778

Austin Motors

NN 778

Merlin

Known Units: 227 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN779

s/n NN779

Austin Motors

NN 779

Merlin

Known Units: 433 Sqn

Operated by No. 433 Squadron, RCAF, coded BM*J. Used on operations in 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN780

s/n NN780

Austin Motors

NN 780

Merlin

Known Units:

Operated by No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*Y".
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN781

s/n NN781

Austin Motors

NN 781

Merlin

Known Units: 514 Sqn;138 Sqn;138 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN782

s/n NN782

Austin Motors

NN 782

Merlin

Known Units: 207 Sqn;138 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN783

s/n NN783

Austin Motors

NN 783

Merlin

Known Units: 90 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN784

s/n NN784

Austin Motors

NN 784

Merlin

Known Units: 100 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN785

s/n NN785

Austin Motors

NN 785

Merlin

Known Units: 153

Delivered to No. 153 Sqn 3 Feb 1945. Missing on raid to Dortmund 20/21 Feb 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant W H Holman 2023-08-26

1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant A D Kall 2023-08-29

1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edric Stephen Neil 2021-08-17

1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class V S Reynolds 2023-09-26

1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer R C Taylor 2023-10-02

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN786

s/n NN786

Austin Motors

NN 786

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN798

s/n NN798

Austin Motors

NN 798

Merlin

Known Units: 625 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN799

s/n NN799

Austin Motors

NN 799

Merlin

Known Units: 460 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN800

s/n NN800

Austin Motors

NN 800

Merlin

Known Units: 12 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN801

s/n NN801

Austin Motors

NN 801

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN802

s/n NN802

Austin Motors

NN 802

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN803

s/n NN803

Austin Motors

NN 803

Merlin

Known Units: 153 Sqn

Delivered to No. 153 Sqn (P4-O) 3 Feb 1945. Missing on operation to Chemnitz 14/15 Feb 1945
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Joseph Anthony Caryi 2024-04-04

1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lorne Albert MacDonald 2024-04-22

1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Clement Robert Mills 2021-08-16

1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ross Samuel Stanzel 2022-01-03

1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 John Howard Wilson 2024-11-01

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN804

s/n NN804

Austin Motors

NN 804

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN805

s/n NN805

Austin Motors

NN 805

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN806

s/n NN806

Austin Motors

NN 806

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN807

s/n NN807

Austin Motors

NN 807

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN808

s/n NN808

Austin Motors

NN 808

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN809

s/n NN809

Austin Motors

NN 809

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN810

s/n NN810

Austin Motors

NN 810

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN811

s/n NN811

Austin Motors

NN 811

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN812

s/n NN812

Austin Motors

NN 812

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN813

s/n NN813

Austin Motors

NN 813

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN814

s/n NN814

Austin Motors

NN 814

Merlin

Known Units: 1656 HCU

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN815

s/n NN815

Austin Motors

NN 815

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN816

s/n NN816

Austin Motors

NN 816

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

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

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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

{{storedairimage,ventralturret.jpeg,float:right;width:400px;margin-left:10px;,Orginal Ventral Turret. Discontinued early.}}

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.

{{storedairimage,2_DS707_7-6-44.jpg,width:400px;,Note: 50 cal gun pointing at 45°}}
{{storedairorigimage,Mod_925ventral50calMG-1.jpg,width:400px;,Original Drawings. Right click for larger view.}}
{{storedairimage,3 _W4766.jpg,width:400px;,W4766 from 61 Squadron}}

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.

{{clearfloat}} {{storedairorigimage,75SqnORBextractMarch1945.jpg,float:right;width:400px;margin-left:10px;,75 Squadron ORB March 1945}}

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 Mk.I serial NN694

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN695

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN696

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN697

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN698

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN699

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN700

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN701

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN702

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN703

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN704

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN705

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN706

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN707

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN708

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN709

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN710

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN711

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN712

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN713

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN714

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN715

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN716

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN717

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN718

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN719

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN720

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN721

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN722

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN723

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN724

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN725

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN726

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN739

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN740

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN741

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN742

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN743

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN744

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN745

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN746

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN747

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN748

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN749

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN750

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN751

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN752

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN753

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN754

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN755

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN756

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN757

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN758

Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1945-03-16 to 1945-03-17

103 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Elsham Wolds

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN759

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN760

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN761

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN762

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN763

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN764

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN765

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN766

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN767

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN768

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN769

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN770

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN771

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN772

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN773

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN774

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN775

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN776

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN777

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN778

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN779

Lancaster Mk.I serial NN780

Avro Lancaster