Born out of the failed Manchester, the Avro Lancaster became the most famous British bomber of World War 2. Arguably its biggest asset was the ability to carry the outsize bombs developed during the war by the British – starting with the 4,000lb High Capacity bomb, then the 8,000lb-er, the 12,000lb ‘Tallboy’ deep penetration bomb and ultimately, the huge 22,000lb ‘Grand Slam’ or ‘Earthquake’ bomb and, most famously of all, the ‘bouncing bomb’ used by the Dambusters – the Lancaster excelled as a bomber.

The first aircraft (actually called the Manchester III) flew in January 1941, and initial deliveries of a final total of over 7,000 aircraft were made in December 1941 to No 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron at Waddington. In March 1942, four aircraft from No 44 flew the Lancaster’s first operational mission – a mine-laying sortie in the Heligoland Bight. From this inauspicious beginning, the reputation of the aircraft as a solid, dependable bomber grew and barely a year later, Lancasters from No 617 Squadron were used in the famous ‘Dambusters’ attacks on German dams. Other precision raids of note include the sinking of the Tirpitz (with 12,000lb bombs) in November 1944, the successful blocking of the important Saumur railway tunnel (again with 12,000lb-ers) on 8 June 1944 and the destruction of the vital Bielefeld viaduct with ‘Grand Slams’ in March 1945.

In the run-up to the invasion, Lancasters were instrumental in preparing the way for allied forces. From January 1944, they (and Halifaxes) targeted transportation choke-points and communication sites on the continent and even simulated an invading armada on the eve of Operation Overlord when No 617 Squadron flew a series of orbits which approached the French coast whilst dropping metal strips to confuse German radar screens.

Manufacturers: A. V. Roe & Co. Ltd.

Type: British multi-engined long-range heavy bomber, developed from a design made in 1937.

Crew: Seven.

Engines: 4 Rolls-Royce Merlin of 1,280hp. (liquid-cooled in-line). Mk. II, 4 Bristol Hercules.

Speed: Maximum, 280mph.; cruising, 210mph.

Range: 3,000 miles.

Ceiling: Not known

Armament: Four gun turrets, nose, ventral, dorsal and tail, which between them mount ten Browning machine-guns.

Dimensions: Span 102ft., length 69ft. 6in., height 18ft. 6in., wing area 1,300 sq ft.

Construction: All-metal, stressed skin covered. Tail unit same. Fuselage all-metal monocoque.

Distinguishing features: Mid-wing multi-engine monoplane with compound tail unit and retractable undercarriage (in-line or radial engines). Straight centre section, then dihedral and taper to tips. In plan view long blunt nose, straight centre section, then fairly equal straight taper to well-rounded tips. Tail-plane set low and fins and rudders egg-shaped and mounted outboard of the tail-plane.

Summary of recognition features : Four engines, egg-shaped fins and rudders.

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