Lancaster (Total: 7,377, Canadian: 88, Group 87)

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 RE115, Mk.III

s/n RE115

Avro

RE 115

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE116, Mk.III

s/n RE116

Avro

RE 116

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE117, Mk.III

s/n RE117

Avro

RE 117

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE118, Mk.III

s/n RE118

Avro

RE 118

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE119, Mk.III

s/n RE119

Avro

RE 119

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE120, Mk.III

s/n RE120

Avro

RE 120

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE121, Mk.III

s/n RE121

Avro

RE 121

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE122, Mk.III

s/n RE122

Avro

RE 122

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE123, Mk.III

s/n RE123

Avro

RE 123

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE124, Mk.III

s/n RE124

Avro

RE 124

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE125, Mk.III

s/n RE125

Avro

RE 125

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE126, Mk.III

s/n RE126

Avro

RE 126

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE127, Mk.III

s/n RE127

Avro

RE 127

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE128, Mk.III

s/n RE128

Avro

RE 128

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE129, Mk.III

s/n RE129

Avro

RE 129

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE130, Mk.III

s/n RE130

Avro

RE 130

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE131, Mk.III

s/n RE131

Avro

RE 131

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE132, Mk.III

s/n RE132

Avro

RE 132

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE133, Mk.III

s/n RE133

Avro

RE 133

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE134, Mk.III

s/n RE134

Avro

RE 134

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE135, Mk.III

s/n RE135

Avro

RE 135

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE136, Mk.III

s/n RE136

Avro

RE 136

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE137, Mk.III

s/n RE137

Avro

RE 137

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE138, Mk.III

s/n RE138

Avro

RE 138

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE139, Mk.III

s/n RE139

Avro

RE 139

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE140, Mk.III

s/n RE140

Avro

RE 140

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE153, Mk.III

s/n RE153

Avro

RE 153

Merlin

Operated by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*V".
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster RE154, Mk.III

s/n RE154

Avro

RE 154

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE155, Mk.III

s/n RE155

Avro

RE 155

Merlin

Operated by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*X" and "AL*Y".
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-September-15 Accident Crash Crashed on approach to Glatton. 2019-08-20

Lancaster RE156, Mk.III

s/n RE156

Avro

RE 156

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE157, Mk.III

s/n RE157

Avro

RE 157

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE158, Mk.III

s/n RE158

Avro

RE 158

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE159, Mk.III

s/n RE159

Avro

RE 159

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE160, Mk.III

s/n RE160

Avro

RE 160

Merlin

Operated by No. 427 Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*G. Used to return British ex-POWs from Belgium, summer of 1945 (Operation Exodus).
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster RE161, Mk.III

s/n RE161

Avro

RE 161

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE162, Mk.III

s/n RE162

Avro

RE 162

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE163, Mk.III

s/n RE163

Avro

RE 163

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE164, Mk.III

s/n RE164

Avro

RE 164

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE165, Mk.III

s/n RE165

Avro

RE 165

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE166, Mk.III

s/n RE166

Avro

RE 166

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE167, Mk.III

s/n RE167

Avro

RE 167

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE168, Mk.III

s/n RE168

Avro

RE 168

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE169, Mk.III

s/n RE169

Avro

RE 169

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE170, Mk.III

s/n RE170

Avro

RE 170

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE171, Mk.III

s/n RE171

Avro

RE 171

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE172, Mk.III

s/n RE172

Avro

RE 172

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE173, Mk.III

s/n RE173

Avro

RE 173

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE174, Mk.III

s/n RE174

Avro

RE 174

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE175, Mk.III

s/n RE175

Avro

RE 175

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE176, Mk.III

s/n RE176

Avro

RE 176

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE177, Mk.III

s/n RE177

Avro

RE 177

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE178, Mk.III

s/n RE178

Avro

RE 178

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE179, Mk.III

s/n RE179

Avro

RE 179

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE180, Mk.III

s/n RE180

Avro

RE 180

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE181, Mk.III

s/n RE181

Avro

RE 181

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE182, Mk.III

s/n RE182

Avro

RE 182

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE183, Mk.III

s/n RE183

Avro

RE 183

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE184, Mk.III

s/n RE184

Avro

RE 184

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE185, Mk.III

s/n RE185

Avro

RE 185

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE186, Mk.III

s/n RE186

Avro

RE 186

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE187, Mk.III

s/n RE187

Avro

RE 187

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE188, Mk.III

s/n RE188

Avro

RE 188

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE193,

s/n RE193

RE 193

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE200, Mk.III

s/n RE200

Avro

RE 200

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE201, Mk.III

s/n RE201

Avro

RE 201

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE202, Mk.III

s/n RE202

Avro

RE 202

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE203, Mk.III

s/n RE203

Avro

RE 203

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE204, Mk.III

s/n RE204

Avro

RE 204

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE205, Mk.III

s/n RE205

Avro

RE 205

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE206, Mk.III

s/n RE206

Avro

RE 206

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE207, Mk.III

s/n RE207

Avro

RE 207

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE208, Mk.III

s/n RE208

Avro

RE 208

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE209, Mk.III

s/n RE209

Avro

RE 209

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE210, Mk.III

s/n RE210

Avro

RE 210

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE211, Mk.III

s/n RE211

Avro

RE 211

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE212, Mk.III

s/n RE212

Avro

RE 212

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE213, Mk.III

s/n RE213

Avro

RE 213

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE214, Mk.III

s/n RE214

Avro

RE 214

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE215, Mk.III

s/n RE215

Avro

RE 215

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE216, Mk.III

s/n RE216

Avro

RE 216

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE217, Mk.III

s/n RE217

Avro

RE 217

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE218, Mk.III

s/n RE218

Avro

RE 218

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE219, Mk.III

s/n RE219

Avro

RE 219

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE220, Mk.III

s/n RE220

Avro

RE 220

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE221, Mk.III

s/n RE221

Avro

RE 221

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE222, Mk.III

s/n RE222

Avro

RE 222

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE225, Mk.III

s/n RE225

Avro

RE 225

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster RE226, Mk.III

s/n RE226

Avro

RE 226

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 RE115, Mk.III

Lancaster RE116, Mk.III

Lancaster RE117, Mk.III

Lancaster RE118, Mk.III

Lancaster RE119, Mk.III

Lancaster RE120, Mk.III

Lancaster RE121, Mk.III

Lancaster RE122, Mk.III

Lancaster RE123, Mk.III

Lancaster RE124, Mk.III

Lancaster RE125, Mk.III

Lancaster RE126, Mk.III

Lancaster RE127, Mk.III

Lancaster RE128, Mk.III

Lancaster RE129, Mk.III

Lancaster RE130, Mk.III

Lancaster RE131, Mk.III

Lancaster RE132, Mk.III

Lancaster RE133, Mk.III

Lancaster RE134, Mk.III

Lancaster RE135, Mk.III

Lancaster RE136, Mk.III

Lancaster RE137, Mk.III

Lancaster RE138, Mk.III

Lancaster RE139, Mk.III

Lancaster RE140, Mk.III

Lancaster RE153, Mk.III

Lancaster RE154, Mk.III

Lancaster RE155, Mk.III

Lancaster RE156, Mk.III

Lancaster RE157, Mk.III

Lancaster RE158, Mk.III

Lancaster RE159, Mk.III

Lancaster RE160, Mk.III

Lancaster RE161, Mk.III

Lancaster RE162, Mk.III

Lancaster RE163, Mk.III

Lancaster RE164, Mk.III

Lancaster RE165, Mk.III

Lancaster RE166, Mk.III

Lancaster RE167, Mk.III

Lancaster RE168, Mk.III

Lancaster RE169, Mk.III

Lancaster RE170, Mk.III

Lancaster RE171, Mk.III

Lancaster RE172, Mk.III

Lancaster RE173, Mk.III

Lancaster RE174, Mk.III

Lancaster RE175, Mk.III

Lancaster RE176, Mk.III

Lancaster RE177, Mk.III

Lancaster RE178, Mk.III

Lancaster RE179, Mk.III

Lancaster RE180, Mk.III

Lancaster RE181, Mk.III

Lancaster RE182, Mk.III

Lancaster RE183, Mk.III

Lancaster RE184, Mk.III

Lancaster RE185, Mk.III

Lancaster RE186, Mk.III

Lancaster RE187, Mk.III

Lancaster RE188, Mk.III

Lancaster RE193,

Lancaster RE200, Mk.III

Lancaster RE201, Mk.III

Lancaster RE202, Mk.III

Lancaster RE203, Mk.III

Lancaster RE204, Mk.III

Lancaster RE205, Mk.III

Lancaster RE206, Mk.III

Lancaster RE207, Mk.III

Lancaster RE208, Mk.III

Lancaster RE209, Mk.III

Lancaster RE210, Mk.III

Lancaster RE211, Mk.III

Lancaster RE212, Mk.III

Lancaster RE213, Mk.III

Avro Lancaster