That finest of all heavy bombers, the Avro Lancaster, was once described by Air Chief Marshall "Bomber" Harris as the greatest single factor in winning the Second World War. Lancasters dropped a total of 608,612 tons of bombs and at one time there were no fewer than 56 Lancaster squadrons in Bomber Command.
Developed by Roy Chadwick from the ill-fated twin-engined Manchester, the prototype Avro 683 Lancaster made its first flight on January 9th 1941, and full scale production was authorised following successful trials. The Lancaster B.I was powered by four 1,460 h.p. Rolls Royce Merlin 20 or 22 engines giving a maximum speed of 287 mph at 11,500ft and a range of 3,000 miles. Airframe production soon outstripped the supply of Merlins and to solve the problem the Packard Motor Corp. of America undertook the licence manufacture of the engine and with these powerplants the Lancaster B.I was designated B.III although remaining externally identical with the earlier Mark. For defence, the aircraft had eight .303in machine guns in three power-operated turrets while the offensive bomb load which could total up to 22,000lb, was carried in the 33ft-long bomb-ba. A crew of seven was normally carried.
Lancasters first entered service in March 1942 with 44 Sqn at Waddington. Among the Lancaster's more notable missions was the low-level daylight raid on the engine factory at Augsburg in April 1942, the famous dams raid in May 1943 and the sinking of the Tirpitz the following year. Throughout the war, eleven VCs were awarded to Lancaster crew members.
Production of all types of Lancaster totalled 7,374, of which many continued to serve with the RAF into the post-war years. Markings for two famous Lancasters which achieved more than 100 missions, are provided in this kit. "Able Mabel" was a B.III "Mike-Squared" of 103 Sqn at Elsham Wolds was Bomber Command's top-scoring 'heavy with 140 missions. Lancaster wing span was 102ft and length 69ft 6in.
Regarded as the finest heavy bomber of World War Two, the Lancaster dropped more bombs than any other aircraft in history. This fine kit captures completely this superb machine. Alternative markings and a full bomb load are included. - PM-M2 (ED888).
- PM-M2 (PA474) B. B. Memorial Flight.
- HW-A/WS-J B. B.
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