Second World War night bombers.
The “Lanc”, as it was known colloquially, became one of the most heavily used of the Second World War night bombers, “delivering 608,612 long tons (618,378,000 kg) of bombs in 156,000 sorties”.
Avro Lancaster.
Lancaster | |
---|---|
Number built | 7,377 |
Developed from | Avro Manchester |
Variants | Avro Lancastrian |
Developed into | Avro York Avro Lincoln |
What is the Lancaster bomber famous for?
The Avro Lancaster is one of the most famous heavy bombers of the Second World War. With a wingspan of 102 feet and four Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engines, the Lancaster could carry the heaviest bomb load in the European Theatre of Operations.
What was the most effective bomber of ww2?
The PV-1 bomber, which also bore four guns, flew successful missions throughout the war. One of the best known airplanes of World War II, the B-25 bomber was also one of the most flown, most versatile, and most successful of all the combat planes of the era.
How many Lancaster bombers lost in ww2?
3,736
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engine heavy bomber used by the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces during World War II. Of the 7,377 aircraft built, 3,736 were lost during the War (3,249 in action and 487 in ground accidents).
Why is the Lancaster bomber called Just Jane?
Lancaster NX611 (Just Jane)
The centre’s main exhibit is Avro Lancaster Mk VII, NX611, named Just Jane after a popular wartime comic character. The Lancaster was built by Austin Aero Ltd at their Cofton Hackett Works just south of Birmingham in April 1945.
Why were Lancaster bombers so called?
“The name was selected by Chadwick as a tribute to the capital town of Lancashire & was wholeheartedly approved by Roy Dobson a Yorkshireman”. Dave C. RE: Lancaster bombers..
What is the most feared bomber?
The Boeing B-29 was the biggest American bomber of the Second World War, but perhaps what made it the most deadly was that it was the aircraft that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which in a way makes the aircraft infamous.
What is the largest bomber in history?
The American ten-engined Convair B-36J ‘Peacemaker’ had a wing span of 70.1 m (230 ft), the longest ever for a bomber.
Which plane dropped the most bombs in ww2?
Developed by the Boeing Company in the 1930s, the B-17 was a four‑engine heavy bomber aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. It was a very effective weapons system, dropping more bombs during the war than any other American aircraft. Why was the B-17 called the “Flying Fortress”?
What was the life expectancy of a Lancaster bomber crew?
The Lancaster was one of the most dangerous places to be in the entire war – the life expectancy of a new recruit was just two weeks.
What was the life expectancy of a tail gunner?
The Rear-Turret Gunners were in the most vulnerable position on the Plane. The life expectancy of a WW2 Rear-gunner varied but was never high, mostly about just 5-Sorties.
What was the better bomber B-17 or Lancaster?
Lancaster had far better payload, far better range and smaller crew. B-17 had better ceiling, better defensive armament and more rugged construction.
How many Lancaster bombers were shot down?
Although the bomber stream shook off the pursuers on the return flight, by taking a northerly route over Denmark, 23 Lancasters were shot down over enemy occupied territory, with the deaths of 148 men, whilst 17 bombers returned with damage from enemy flak or fighters.
Was the Lancaster bomber any good?
Nevertheless, the Lancaster was far and away the most effective British heavy bomber of World War II, being far superior to its main competitor, the Halifax, in tons of bombs dropped per man-hour expended in production and maintenance.
How many bombs did a Lancaster carry?
14 SBC, each with 236 x 4 lb (1.8 kg) Incendiary and Explosive Incendiary bomblets, total 3,304. 14 x 1,000 lb (450 kg) GP/HE bombs using both impact and long delay (up to 144 hours.
Why did the Lancaster only have one pilot?
‘During the mid 1930s the Air Ministry felt that the pilot should also be the principle navigator. It soon became apparent that one pilot/navigator could not fulfil all the tasks demanded of him. This led to the addition of a second pilot/navigator.
How fast did a Lancaster bomber fly?
How Fast Was The Lancaster? According to BAE System’s heritage page on the Lancaster bomber, entitled ‘Avro 683 Lancaster’, it could reach speeds of up to 282 mph (454 km/h) at at a weight of 63,000 lb on its four Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 engines.
How many pilots did a Lancaster bomber have?
seven men
Most Lancaster crews consisted of seven men who had to work together to undertake the mission given to them and return home safely. The pilot of a Lancaster crew had the most responsibility. He had to show and install confidence in the six other men of his crew and fly the aircraft.
Who is the deadliest pilot in history?
Erich Hartmann
20 May 2022. Erich Hartmann, sometimes referred to as the ‘Black Devil’, is the deadliest fighter pilot in history, having downed 352 Allied planes during World War Two over the course of some 1,400 missions.
What plane shot down the most enemy aircraft?
In One Mission in October 1944, Two F6F Hellcats Shot Down a Record 15 Enemy Aircraft
- For their bravery that day, Capt.
- The Smithsonian’s F6F Hellcat saw service in World War II as part of Fighter Squadron 15 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, though it never participated in combat.
What is the fastest bomber ever built?
1. XB – 70 Valkyrie
- Aircraft: XB-70 Valkyrie.
- Speed Record: Mach 3.08 [2,068 mph or 3,266 kmph]
- Engine: 6 * General Electric YJ-93-GE-3 Turbojet.
- Engine Power: 28,800 lbf (128 kN)
- Speed Record Created: April 1966.
- Total Built: 2.
- Status: Retired.