Obviously, it’s capacity to carry bombs, it was almost a flying bomb bay. It could carry incredible bomb-loads and take the war into the heart of Germany, day after day after day. Also, the Lancaster was produced in such great numbers which contributed to its immense importance, as part of bomber command.
What made the Avro Lancaster so good?
The impressive bomb hauling capacity meant that Lancasters could be modified to carry the bouncing bombs used in Operation Chastise (the ‘Dambusters’ raid) against the Ruhr Valley dams. In fact, later on, the Lancaster was able to haul the 22,000-lb Grand Slam Earthquake bomb.
Why was the Lancaster so successful?
The Lanc had speed, ceiling, and lifting power that no other aircraft of the day could match. Weighing 36,900 pounds empty, the Lancaster was capable of taking off with an additional 33,100 pounds of fuel and bombs; in other words it could almost carry its own weight again.
Was the Avro Lancaster any good?
Although the Lancaster was primarily a night bomber, it excelled in many other roles, including daylight precision bombing, for which some Lancasters were adapted to carry the 12,000 lb (5,400 kg) Tallboy and then the 22,000 lb (10,000 kg) Grand Slam earthquake bombs (also designed by Wallis).
Why was the Lancaster bomber famous?
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 maneuverable ww2 fighter?
The most capable fighter of WWII was the American F4U-4 Corsair carrier-based fighter-bomber, designed and produced by Chance Vought. Between 1942 and 1953 more than 12,500 aircraft were manufactured. The fighter combined good maneuverability, very dangerous armament (six .
Why was the Lancaster better than the Halifax?
The main limitation was that the Halifax spread it over six compartments while the Lancaster had a single compartment (having been designed to be able to carry torpedos) which allowed it to carry much larger bombs than the Halifax. Range, ceiling and speed were similar with the Lancaster having the advantage.
How many Avro Lancasters shot down?
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).
How many bombs could a Lancaster hold?
For these missions the planes’ spacious bomb bays typically carried a mixed load of high-explosive bombs—for instance, a cylindrical 2,000- or 4,000-pound (900- or 1,800-kg) high-blast “cookie” or several 1,000- or 2,000-pound (450- or 900-kg) bombs—with the balance of the bomb load consisting of small incendiaries.
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.
What was the toughest bomber in ww2?
The heaviest bomber of World War II was the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which entered service in 1944 with a fully pressurized crew compartment (previously used only on experimental aircraft) and as many as 12 . 50-inch machine guns mounted in pairs in remotely-controlled turrets.
What was considered the best bomber of World War II?
1 Avro Lancaster – UK
By far the best bomber of the war. Carried a comparable bomb load to the B-29 years earlier. It took more than two B-17s to carry a comparable load into Germany. Most versatile heavy bomber of the war.
What was the best dog fighter plane in ww2?
The Gruman F6F Hellcat was the leading US fighter aircraft in air to air kills during World War II. The Hellcat first saw service in Sep 1943.
Which ww2 bomber dropped the most bombs?
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.
What was the better bomber b17 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.
What was the Avro Lancaster used for?
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 12,000 lb Tallboy and ultimately, the 22,000 lb Grand Slam Earthquake bombs (also designed by Wallis).
What was the most feared vehicle in WW2?
Germany’s Tiger tank, whether in the form of the Tiger I or later Tiger II (King Tiger), was the most feared tank of WWII.
What plane shot down most in WW2?
Which plane shot down the most planes in WW2? As others have said, it pretty much has to be the Messerschmitt Bf-109. The Bf-109 was a fine, modern fighter – though it was getting a bit old by the end of the war.
What was the weakest plane in WW2?
According to the Smithsonian Air and Space Magazine, the worst plane of the Second World War was a piloted rocket made of wood, that did not have any landing gear. Yep, it’s already sounding bad. The plane was the Bachem Ba 349.
What is the top speed of a Lancaster?
Five top facts about the Lancaster bomber
It could carry a maximum bomb load of 22,000 lb, its maximum level speed with a full load at 15,000 feet was 275 mph and it could cruise routinely at altitudes above 20,000ft at a range speed of 200 mph.
What is the Canadian Lancaster called?
The Canadian prototype, with serial number KB-700, rolled off the Victory Aircraft assembly line on August 1, 1943, almost exactly a year after the “pattern” aircraft was flown to Canada. Named the “Ruhr Express,” much publicity was made of its christening, first flight, and its departure to England.