Lancaster (Total: 7,377, Canadian: 130, Group 118)

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 SW243, Mk.I

s/n SW243

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 243

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW244, Mk.I

s/n SW244

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 244

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW245, Mk.I

s/n SW245

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 245

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW246, Mk.I

s/n SW246

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 246

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW247, Mk.I

s/n SW247

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 247

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW248, Mk.I

s/n SW248

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 248

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW249, Mk.I

s/n SW249

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 249

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW250, Mk.I

s/n SW250

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 250

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW251, Mk.I

s/n SW251

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 251

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Oswald Walter Armstrong 2024-11-03

1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence Herbert Beaumont 2025-01-05

1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Charles Dufresne 2024-10-29

1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Thomas Edward Gallivan 2025-01-05

1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Wilfred Johnson 2025-01-05

Lancaster SW252, Mk.I

s/n SW252

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 252

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW253, Mk.I

s/n SW253

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 253

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW254, Mk.I

s/n SW254

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 254

Merlin

Delivered to No. 1661 CU, then to 619 Sqn (PG-S) Dec 1944. Missing on opertaion to Leipzig 10/11 April 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-April-11 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Albert Elmore McMorran 2024-04-22

1945-April-11 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Bruce Arthur Williamson 2024-05-03

Lancaster SW255, Mk.I

s/n SW255

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 255

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW256, Mk.I

s/n SW256

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 256

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW257, Mk.I

s/n SW257

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 257

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW258, Mk.I

s/n SW258

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 258

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW259, Mk.I

s/n SW259

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 259

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW260, Mk.I

s/n SW260

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 260

Merlin

Operated by No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded LQ*E. Based at Gransden Lodge, Bedfordshire.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster SW261, Mk.I

s/n SW261

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 261

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW262, Mk.I

s/n SW262

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 262

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW263, Mk.I

s/n SW263

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 263

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW264, Mk.I

s/n SW264

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 264

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW265, Mk.I

s/n SW265

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 265

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW266, Mk.I

s/n SW266

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 266

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW267, Mk.I

s/n SW267

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 267

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW268, Mk.I

s/n SW268

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 268

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW269, Mk.I

s/n SW269

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 269

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW270, Mk.I

s/n SW270

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 270

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW271, Mk.I

s/n SW271

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 271

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW272, Mk.I

s/n SW272

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 272

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW273, Mk.I

s/n SW273

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 273

Merlin

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

Lancaster SW274, Mk.I

s/n SW274

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 274

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW275, Mk.I

s/n SW275

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 275

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW276, Mk.I

s/n SW276

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 276

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW277, Mk.I

s/n SW277

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 277

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW278, Mk.I

s/n SW278

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 278

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW279, Mk.I

s/n SW279

Metropolitan-Vickers

SW 279

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW283, Mk.I/III

s/n SW283

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 283

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW284, Mk.I/III

s/n SW284

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 284

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW285, Mk.I/III

s/n SW285

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 285

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW286, Mk.I/III

s/n SW286

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 286

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW287, Mk.I/III

s/n SW287

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 287

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW288, Mk.I/III

s/n SW288

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 288

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW289, Mk.I/III

s/n SW289

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 289

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW290, Mk.I/III

s/n SW290

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 290

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW291, Mk.I/III

s/n SW291

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 291

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW292, Mk.I/III

s/n SW292

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 292

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW293, Mk.I/III

s/n SW293

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 293

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW294, Mk.I/III

s/n SW294

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 294

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW295, Mk.I/III

s/n SW295

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 295

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW296, Mk.I/III

s/n SW296

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 296

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW297, Mk.I/III

s/n SW297

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 297

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW298, Mk.I/III

s/n SW298

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 298

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW299, Mk.I/III

s/n SW299

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 299

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW300, Mk.I/III

s/n SW300

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 300

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW301, Mk.I/III

s/n SW301

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 301

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW302, Mk.I/III

s/n SW302

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 302

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW303, Mk.I/III

s/n SW303

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 303

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW304, Mk.I/III

s/n SW304

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 304

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW305, Mk.I/III

s/n SW305

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 305

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW306, Mk.I/III

s/n SW306

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 306

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW307, Mk.I/III

s/n SW307

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 307

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW308, Mk.I/III

s/n SW308

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 308

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW309, Mk.I/III

s/n SW309

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 309

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW310, Mk.I/III

s/n SW310

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 310

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW311, Mk.I/III

s/n SW311

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 311

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW312, Mk.I/III

s/n SW312

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 312

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW313, Mk.I/III

s/n SW313

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 313

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW314, Mk.I/III

s/n SW314

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 314

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW315, Mk.I/III

s/n SW315

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 315

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW316, Mk.I/III

s/n SW316

Armstrong Whitworth

SW 316

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW319, Mk.III

s/n SW319

Avro

SW 319

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW320, Mk.III

s/n SW320

Avro

SW 320

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW321, Mk.III

s/n SW321

Avro

SW 321

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW322, Mk.III

s/n SW322

Avro

SW 322

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW323, Mk.III

s/n SW323

Avro

SW 323

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW324, Mk.III

s/n SW324

Avro

SW 324

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW325, Mk.III

s/n SW325

Avro

SW 325

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW326, Mk.III

s/n SW326

Avro

SW 326

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW327, Mk.III

s/n SW327

Avro

SW 327

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW328, Mk.III

s/n SW328

Avro

SW 328

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW329, Mk.III

s/n SW329

Avro

SW 329

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW330, Mk.III

s/n SW330

Avro

SW 330

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW331, Mk.III

s/n SW331

Avro

SW 331

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW332, Mk.III

s/n SW332

Avro

SW 332

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW333, Mk.III

s/n SW333

Avro

SW 333

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW334, Mk.III

s/n SW334

Avro

SW 334

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW335, Mk.III

s/n SW335

Avro

SW 335

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW336, Mk.III

s/n SW336

Avro

SW 336

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW337, Mk.III

s/n SW337

Avro

SW 337

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW338, Mk.III

s/n SW338

Avro

SW 338

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW339, Mk.III

s/n SW339

Avro

SW 339

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW340, Mk.III

s/n SW340

Avro

SW 340

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW341, Mk.III

s/n SW341

Avro

SW 341

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW342, Mk.III

s/n SW342

Avro

SW 342

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW343, Mk.III

s/n SW343

Avro

SW 343

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW344, Mk.III

s/n SW344

Avro

SW 344

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW345, Mk.III

s/n SW345

Avro

SW 345

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW346,

s/n SW346

SW 346

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW347,

s/n SW347

SW 347

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW348,

s/n SW348

SW 348

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW349,

s/n SW349

SW 349

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW350,

s/n SW350

SW 350

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW351,

s/n SW351

SW 351

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW352,

s/n SW352

SW 352

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW353,

s/n SW353

SW 353

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW354,

s/n SW354

SW 354

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW355,

s/n SW355

SW 355

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW356,

s/n SW356

SW 356

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW357,

s/n SW357

SW 357

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW358, Mk.III

s/n SW358

Avro

SW 358

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW359, Mk.III

s/n SW359

Avro

SW 359

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW360, Mk.III

s/n SW360

Avro

SW 360

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW361, Mk.III

s/n SW361

Avro

SW 361

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW362, Mk.III

s/n SW362

Avro

SW 362

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW363, Mk.III

s/n SW363

Avro

SW 363

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW364, Mk.III

s/n SW364

Avro

SW 364

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW365, Mk.III

s/n SW365

Avro

SW 365

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW366, Mk.III

s/n SW366

Avro

SW 366

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW367, Mk.III

s/n SW367

Avro

SW 367

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW368, Mk.III

s/n SW368

Avro

SW 368

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW369, Mk.III

s/n SW369

Avro

SW 369

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW370, Mk.III

s/n SW370

Avro

SW 370

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW371, Mk.III

s/n SW371

Avro

SW 371

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW372, Mk.III

s/n SW372

Avro

SW 372

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW373, Mk.III

s/n SW373

Avro

SW 373

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW374, Mk.III

s/n SW374

Avro

SW 374

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW375, Mk.III

s/n SW375

Avro

SW 375

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW376, Mk.III

s/n SW376

Avro

SW 376

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster SW377, Mk.III

s/n SW377

Avro

SW 377

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 SW243, Mk.I

Lancaster SW244, Mk.I

Lancaster SW245, Mk.I

Lancaster SW246, Mk.I

Lancaster SW247, Mk.I

Lancaster SW248, Mk.I

Lancaster SW249, Mk.I

Lancaster SW250, Mk.I

Lancaster SW251, Mk.I

Lancaster SW252, Mk.I

Lancaster SW253, Mk.I

Lancaster SW254, Mk.I

Lancaster SW255, Mk.I

Lancaster SW256, Mk.I

Lancaster SW257, Mk.I

Lancaster SW258, Mk.I

Lancaster SW259, Mk.I

Lancaster SW260, Mk.I

Lancaster SW261, Mk.I

Lancaster SW262, Mk.I

Lancaster SW263, Mk.I

Lancaster SW264, Mk.I

Lancaster SW265, Mk.I

Lancaster SW266, Mk.I

Lancaster SW267, Mk.I

Lancaster SW268, Mk.I

Lancaster SW269, Mk.I

Lancaster SW270, Mk.I

Lancaster SW271, Mk.I

Lancaster SW272, Mk.I

Lancaster SW273, Mk.I

Lancaster SW274, Mk.I

Lancaster SW275, Mk.I

Lancaster SW276, Mk.I

Lancaster SW277, Mk.I

Lancaster SW278, Mk.I

Lancaster SW279, Mk.I

Lancaster SW283, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW284, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW285, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW286, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW287, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW288, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW289, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW290, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW291, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW292, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW293, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW294, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW295, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW296, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW297, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW298, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW299, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW300, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW301, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW302, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW303, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW304, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW305, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW306, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW307, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW308, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW309, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW310, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW311, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW312, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW313, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW314, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW315, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW316, Mk.I/III

Lancaster SW319, Mk.III

Lancaster SW320, Mk.III

Lancaster SW321, Mk.III

Lancaster SW322, Mk.III

Lancaster SW323, Mk.III

Lancaster SW324, Mk.III

Avro Lancaster