The prototype twin-engined Manchester flew in but was plagued by instability and problems with its complex, 24 cylinder Rolls Royce Vulture engines. Of the Manchesters built more were lost to engine failure than enemy action. The new bomber was immediately regarded as a success and large production orders were placed.
Consisting of 55, separate parts, it has been estimated that half a million different manufacturing operations were involved to produce just one aircraft. Peak production was achieved during August when aircraft were produced. Lancasters first flew operationally in March and were well received by their aircrew. The proven Rolls Royce Merlin engines were much in demand for many types of aircraft. For this reason a version of the aircraft was produced which made use of Bristol Hercules radial engines.
The Lanc had speed, ceiling, and lifting power that no other aircraft of the day could match. Weighing 36, pounds empty, the Lancaster was capable of taking off with an additional 33, pounds of fuel and bombs; in other words it could almost carry its own weight again. Lancasters were built to accomplish their specific purpose and crew comfort and security was clearly a secondary consideration.
Generally flying under the cover of darkness, the Lancaster had virtually no defensive armour. Our Company Heritage Avro Lancaster. The most iconic heavy bomber of World War II. Although a capable aircraft, the Avro Manchester proved underpowered by its Rolls-Royce Vulture engines and was withdrawn from service in Avro Chief Designer Roy Chadwick had been already working on an improved Avro Manchester design, using four of the more reliable but less powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, fixed on larger wings.
Its initial three-finned tail layout was quickly changed on the second prototype DG and subsequent production aircraft, to the familiar twin-finned specification. The Avro Avro Lancaster is officially described as a mid-wing, cantilever monoplane with an all-metal fuselage. The wings were constructed in five main sections, as was the fuselage. All the main sections were built separately, often at different locations. All the required equipment was fitted before transport to various sites for final assembly.
Initially, the Avro Avro Lancaster was powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin water-cooled piston engines driving De Havilland Hydromatic three-bladed airscrews, with a retractable main landing gear and fixed tail-wheel. The majority of the aircraft built during the war years were manufactured by Avro at their factory at Chadderton near Oldham, Lancashire.
They were then assembled and test flown from Woodford Aerodrome in Cheshire. In later years, some were also produced at Chester and Castle Bromwich both Vickers-Armstrong factories. Utilising a long, unobstructed bomb bay meant the Avro Avro Lancaster could take even the largest bombs used by the RAF, including, the 4,, 8,, or 12, lb Blockbusters.
The versatility of the aircraft was such that it was chosen to equip Squadron, modified to carry the Barnes Wallis designed Upkeep 'Bouncing bomb' and used during Operation Chastise, the attack on Germany's dams in the Ruhr Valley.
Although the Avro Avro Lancaster was primarily a night bomber, it excelled in many other roles including daylight and precision bombing raids. In the latter role, some were adapted to carry the 12, lb Tallboy and ultimately, the 22, lb Grand Slam Earthquake bombs also designed by Wallis.
Avro Lancaster Last aircraft. The Avro Avro Lancaster also took on a role as a long range anti-submarine patrol aircraft although it was later supplanted by the Avro Shackleton , especially in air-sea rescue operations. It also performed roles as diverse as photo-reconnaissance and aerial mapping.
It served as a flying tanker for aerial refuelling whilst in its later jet powered Avro Lancastrian configuration, it was operated by the likes of BOAC as a long-range, high-speed transatlantic VIP passenger and postal delivery airliner. Minor details were changed throughout the production series such as the pitot head design which was changed from being on a long mast at the front of the nose to a short fairing-mounted probe on the side of the fuselage under the cockpit.
Production aircraft had Merlin 22 and 24 engines. Avro Lancaster B. One example built before order cancelled when war ended. Number built Comments 7, All marks and variants.
The first moves towards restoring one of her four engines were made in Two ex RAF engineers were brought in to do the job. They began work on No3 engine.
Although it had been idle for 22 years, they were confident they could bring it back to life. Accessing the spare parts was organised, the engine rotated to ensure it would still turn and the cam shaft covers removed.
Both had to be replaced, although the engine cylinders were in good working order. Then the propeller was removed, stripped down and examined and - apart from having to adjust the blade settings - everything proved to be in fine order and was rebuilt.
Local contractors were brought in to check the wiring and make good where necessary. That alone was a ten-day job. The engine's starter motor, magnetos, fuel booster pump and ignition harness were removed and checked, the fuel tank was pressurised and the fuel jettison system reset. When the throttle controls between the cockpit lever and the engine were uncovered, it was discovered that almost a third of the small control rods had to be replaced.
This work was then completed for all four engines and they now at a fully operational taxiing standard. Speed: mph at 15,ft Cruising Speed: mph at 15,ft Service ceiling: 25,ft Range: 2, miles with 7,lbs bomb load. By browsing and ordering on this site you accept cookies being used to improve and personalise our services and for marketing purposes.
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