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 PP663

s/n PP663

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 663

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP664

s/n PP664

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 664

Merlin

Known Units: 15 Sqn;15 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP665

s/n PP665

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 665

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP666

s/n PP666

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 666

Merlin

Known Units: 115 Sqn;115 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP667

s/n PP667

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 667

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP668

s/n PP668

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 668

Merlin

Known Units: 626 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP669

s/n PP669

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 669

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP670

s/n PP670

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 670

Merlin

Known Units: 622 Sqn;44 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP671

s/n PP671

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 671

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP672

s/n PP672

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 672

Merlin

Known Units: 15 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP673

s/n PP673

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 673

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP674

s/n PP674

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 674

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP675

s/n PP675

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 675

Merlin

Known Units: 138 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP676

s/n PP676

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 676

Merlin

Known Units: 1659 HCU

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP677

s/n PP677

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 677

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP678

s/n PP678

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 678

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP679

s/n PP679

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 679

Merlin

Known Units: 138 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP680

s/n PP680

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 680

Merlin

Known Units: 90 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP681

s/n PP681

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 681

Merlin

Known Units: 44 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP682

s/n PP682

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 682

Merlin

Known Units: 90 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP683

s/n PP683

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 683

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP684

s/n PP684

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 684

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP685

s/n PP685

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 685

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP686

s/n PP686

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 686

Merlin

Known Units: 44 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP687

s/n PP687

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 687

Merlin

Known Units: 44 Sqn

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP688

s/n PP688

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 688

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP689

s/n PP689

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 689

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP690

s/n PP690

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 690

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP691

s/n PP691

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 691

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP692

s/n PP692

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 692

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP693

s/n PP693

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 693

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP694

s/n PP694

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 694

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP695

s/n PP695

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 695

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP713

s/n PP713

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 713

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP714

s/n PP714

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 714

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP715

s/n PP715

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 715

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP716

s/n PP716

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 716

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP717

s/n PP717

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 717

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP718

s/n PP718

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 718

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP719

s/n PP719

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 719

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP720

s/n PP720

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 720

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP721

s/n PP721

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 721

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP722

s/n PP722

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 722

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP723

s/n PP723

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 723

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP724

s/n PP724

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 724

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP725

s/n PP725

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 725

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP726

s/n PP726

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 726

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP727

s/n PP727

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 727

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP728

s/n PP728

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 728

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP729

s/n PP729

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 729

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP730

s/n PP730

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 730

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP731

s/n PP731

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 731

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP732

s/n PP732

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 732

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP733

s/n PP733

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 733

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP734

s/n PP734

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 734

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP735

s/n PP735

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 735

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP736

s/n PP736

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 736

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP737

s/n PP737

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 737

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP738

s/n PP738

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 738

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP739

s/n PP739

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 739

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP740

s/n PP740

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 740

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP741

s/n PP741

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 741

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP742

s/n PP742

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 742

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP743

s/n PP743

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 743

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP744

s/n PP744

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 744

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP745

s/n PP745

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 745

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP746

s/n PP746

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 746

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP747

s/n PP747

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 747

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP748

s/n PP748

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 748

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP749

s/n PP749

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 749

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP750

s/n PP750

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 750

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP751

s/n PP751

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 751

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP752

s/n PP752

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 752

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP753

s/n PP753

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 753

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP754

s/n PP754

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 754

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP755

s/n PP755

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 755

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP756

s/n PP756

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 756

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP757

s/n PP757

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 757

Merlin

Known Units: BCIS

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP758

s/n PP758

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 758

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP772

s/n PP772

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 772

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP773

s/n PP773

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 773

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP774

s/n PP774

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 774

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP775

s/n PP775

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 775

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP776

s/n PP776

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 776

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP777

s/n PP777

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 777

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP778

s/n PP778

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 778

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP779

s/n PP779

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 779

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP780

s/n PP780

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 780

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP781

s/n PP781

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 781

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP782

s/n PP782

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 782

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP783

s/n PP783

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 783

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP784

s/n PP784

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 784

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP785

s/n PP785

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 785

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP786

s/n PP786

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 786

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP787

s/n PP787

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 787

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP788

s/n PP788

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 788

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP789

s/n PP789

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 789

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP790

s/n PP790

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 790

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP791

s/n PP791

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 791

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-June-06

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP792

s/n PP792

Vickers-Armstrongs

PP 792

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

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

{{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.

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External Resources

Avro Lancaster Serial Groups Specifications

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP663

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP664

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP665

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP666

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP667

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP668

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP669

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP670

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP671

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP672

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP673

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP674

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP675

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP676

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP677

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP678

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP679

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP680

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP681

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP682

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP683

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP684

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP685

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP686

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP687

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP688

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP689

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP690

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP691

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP692

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP693

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP694

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP695

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP713

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP714

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP715

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP716

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP717

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP718

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP719

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP720

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP721

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP722

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP723

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP724

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP725

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP726

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP727

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP728

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP729

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP730

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP731

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP732

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP733

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP734

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP735

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP736

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP737

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP738

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP739

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP740

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP741

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP742

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP743

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP744

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP745

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP746

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP747

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP748

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP749

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP750

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP751

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP752

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP753

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP754

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP755

Lancaster Mk.I serial PP756

Avro Lancaster