The Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, is a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were initially known as the Lancaster Mk. IV and Mk. V; these were renamed Lincoln Mk. I and Mk. II. It was the last piston-engined bomber operated by the RAF.
The Lincoln attained operational status in August 1945. It had been initially assigned to units of the Tiger Force, a Commonwealth heavy bomber force which had been intended to play a role in the closing stages of the Second World War by participating in the campaign against Japan, with operations against the Japanese mainland. The war ended before the Lincoln went into action. Production of the type proceeded and the type was adopted in quantity, allowing it to complement and progressively replace the preceding Lancaster in RAF service during the late 1940s.
One Lincoln B Mk. XV pattern aircraft was completed in Canada by Victory Aircraft. A follow-up order for a total of six RCAF variants was cancelled shortly following the end of hostilities. Along with two additional Lincoln Mk. I and Mk. II aircraft on loan from the RAF, the type was briefly evaluated postwar by the RCAF. The main difference between the Lancaster Mk. V and the Lincoln Mk. II is that the Lincoln was fitted with Merlin 68A engines. Three Avro Lincolns were in service with the RCAF from 1946 to 1948. The Mk. XV Lincoln was to equip the squadrons forming the RCAF's contribution to "Tiger Force," that was to be the Commonwealth's contribution to the war against Japan following the defeat of Germany. The program was cancelled following the Japanese surrender.
The Lincoln B. Mk. I (Serial No. RE258), was taken on strength with the RCAF on 11 Feb 1946. After trials with Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE), Lincoln RE258. It was struck off strength on 10 June 1947 and then returned to England. RE258 ultimately went to Australia where it was reduced to components in 1953 at Woomera, Australia. Before leaving Canada, its equipment was transferred to SX924. Harold Skaarup web page
last update: 2021-10-27 15:15:10Known Squadron Assignments:
Only Canadian built Lincoln. Order for 200 Lincoln XVs was cancelled on VJ Day, but work continued on first 5 aircraft as a greatly reduced pace. First prototype flown at Malton on 25 October 1945 by Canadian Avro crew, including pilot E.H. Taylor. No records of further flights. Program then evolved into development of freighter version for RCAF, based on UK Avro Tudor design. Program cancelled in September 1946, this aircraft and partially completed components of next 4 aircraft later scrapped.Known Squadron Assignments:
For winter trials at the Winter Experiemental Establishment.Known Squadron Assignments: ;Winter
For cold weather trials at the Winter Experimental Establishment, Edmonton, Alberta. The Lincoln-in-the-lake in Canada is SX924, a B.2/4A. It was fitted out for winter trials by Avro at Woodford, and then Scottish Aviation at Prestwick, the outboard Merlin 68As being replaced by Merlin 621s, and the special instrumentation from the previous winter trials Lincoln I - RE259 - being installed. It was Taken on Strength by the RCAF on 1/11/47 and delivered to the Winter Experimental Establishment at Edmonton. On 10/11/48, while being transferred to the detached site at Watson Lake, it suffered fuel flow problems in bad weather and was forced to ditch in the lake.