Lancaster (Total: 7,377, Canadian: 90, Group 90)

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 TW647

s/n TW647

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 647

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW648

s/n TW648

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 648

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW649

s/n TW649

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 649

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW650

s/n TW650

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 650

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW651

s/n TW651

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 651

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW652

s/n TW652

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 652

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW653

s/n TW653

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 653

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW654

s/n TW654

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 654

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW655

s/n TW655

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 655

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW656

s/n TW656

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 656

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW657

s/n TW657

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 657

Merlin

Known Units: 35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW658

s/n TW658

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 658

Merlin

Known Units: 148 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW659

s/n TW659

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 659

Merlin

Known Units: 148 Sqn;7 Sqn;35 Sqn; RWE

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW660

s/n TW660

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 660

Merlin

Known Units: 7 Sqn;35 Sqn;35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW661

s/n TW661

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 661

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW662

s/n TW662

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 662

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW663

s/n TW663

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 663

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW664

s/n TW664

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 664

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW665

s/n TW665

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 665

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW666

s/n TW666

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 666

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW667

s/n TW667

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 667

Merlin

Known Units: 230 OCU

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW668

s/n TW668

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 668

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW669

s/n TW669

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 669

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW670

s/n TW670

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 670

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW671

s/n TW671

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 671

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW858

s/n TW858

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 858

Merlin

Known Units: RWE

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW859

s/n TW859

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 859

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW860

s/n TW860

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 860

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW861

s/n TW861

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 861

Merlin

Known Units: 214 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW862

s/n TW862

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 862

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW863

s/n TW863

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 863

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW864

s/n TW864

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 864

Merlin

Known Units: RWE; CSE

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW865

s/n TW865

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 865

Merlin

Known Units: 35 Sqn;35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW866

s/n TW866

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 866

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW867

s/n TW867

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 867

Merlin

Known Units: RWE; CSE; CSE

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW868

s/n TW868

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 868

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW869

s/n TW869

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 869

Merlin

Known Units: 207 Sqn;35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW870

s/n TW870

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 870

Merlin

Known Units: 35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW871

s/n TW871

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 871

Merlin

Known Units: 49 Sqn;214 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW872

s/n TW872

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 872

Merlin

Known Units: 35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW873

s/n TW873

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 873

Merlin

Known Units: 7 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW878

s/n TW878

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 878

Merlin

Known Units: 214 Sqn;35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW879

s/n TW879

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 879

Merlin

Known Units: 35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW880

s/n TW880

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 880

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW881

s/n TW881

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 881

Merlin

Known Units: 90 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW882

s/n TW882

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 882

Merlin

Known Units: 214 Sqn;35 Sqn;35 Sqn;35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW883

s/n TW883

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 883

Merlin

Known Units: 49 Sqn;214 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW884

s/n TW884

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 884

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW885

s/n TW885

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 885

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW886

s/n TW886

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 886

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW887

s/n TW887

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 887

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW888

s/n TW888

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 888

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW889

s/n TW889

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 889

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW890

s/n TW890

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 890

Merlin

Known Units: 230 OCU; BCIS

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW891

s/n TW891

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 891

Merlin

Known Units: 138 Sqn;35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW892

s/n TW892

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 892

Merlin

Known Units: 7 Sqn;35 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW893

s/n TW893

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 893

Merlin

Known Units: 230 OCU;115 Sqn;138 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW894

s/n TW894

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 894

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn;90 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW895

s/n TW895

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 895

Merlin

Known Units: 148 Sqn;49 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW896

s/n TW896

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 896

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn;149 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW897

s/n TW897

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 897

Merlin

Known Units: 148 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW898

s/n TW898

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 898

Merlin

Known Units: 148 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW899

s/n TW899

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 899

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW900

s/n TW900

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 900

Merlin

Known Units: 207 Sqn;115 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW901

s/n TW901

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 901

Merlin

Known Units: 148 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW902

s/n TW902

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 902

Merlin

Known Units: 115 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW903

s/n TW903

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 903

Merlin

Known Units: 49 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW904

s/n TW904

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 904

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW905

s/n TW905

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 905

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW906

s/n TW906

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 906

Merlin

Known Units: 149 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW907

s/n TW907

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 907

Merlin

Known Units: 49 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW908

s/n TW908

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 908

Merlin

Known Units: 148 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW909

s/n TW909

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 909

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW910

s/n TW910

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 910

Merlin

Known Units: 207 Sqn;115 Sqn

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW911

s/n TW911

m/d 683

Armstrong Whitworth

TW 911

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW915

s/n TW915

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 915

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW916

s/n TW916

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 916

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW917

s/n TW917

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 917

Merlin

Known Units: RWE; CSE

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW918

s/n TW918

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 918

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW919

s/n TW919

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 919

Merlin

Known Units: RWE; CSE

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW920

s/n TW920

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 920

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW921

s/n TW921

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 921

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW922

s/n TW922

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 922

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW923

s/n TW923

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 923

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW924

s/n TW924

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 924

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW925

s/n TW925

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 925

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW926

s/n TW926

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 926

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW927

s/n TW927

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 927

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW928

s/n TW928

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 928

Merlin

Known Units:

last update: 2025-August-13

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW929

s/n TW929

m/d 683

Metropolitan-Vickers

TW 929

Merlin

Known Units: CSE

last update: 2025-August-13

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.

CASPIR Resources

External Resources

Avro Lancaster Serial Groups Specifications

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW647

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW648

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW649

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW650

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW651

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW652

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW653

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW654

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW655

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW656

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW657

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW658

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW659

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW660

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW661

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW662

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW663

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW664

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW665

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW666

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW667

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW668

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW669

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW670

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW671

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW858

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW859

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW860

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW861

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW862

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW863

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW864

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW865

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW866

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW867

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW868

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW869

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW870

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW871

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW872

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW873

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW878

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW879

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW880

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW881

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW882

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW883

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW884

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW885

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW886

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW887

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW888

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW889

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW890

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW891

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW892

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW893

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW894

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW895

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW896

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW897

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW898

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW899

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW900

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW901

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW902

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW903

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW904

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW905

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW906

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW907

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW908

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW909

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW910

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW911

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW915

Lancaster Mk.I serial TW916

Avro Lancaster