AVRO 679 Manchester

(Monochrome Photograph - This Manchester Mk.I L7248, was one of the first to be delivered to No. 207 Squadron at Waddington in October 1940. After a heavy landing returning from Operations in April 1941 the aircraft was transferred to training duties.)

In 1936 the British Air Ministry issued a requirement for an advanced medium bomber and this was met by both Avro and Handley Page, however, the latter's project did not proceed beyond the drawing board. The Avro 679, which later became known as the Manchester, first flew on 25th July 1939 and was powered by two of the revolutionary Rolls-Royce Vulture engines. Unfortunately, this engine type proved to be one of that Company's few failures.

The Manchester was an advanced design of all-metal construction and featured a number of innovations including a large continuous bomb bay and the ability to be catapulted into the air from a bomb damaged airfield.

An order for 200 aircraft was placed with A.V. Roe & Company Limited in July 1937 with the first deliveries commencing in June 1940. Initially, the Manchester Mk.I was fitted with a large central fin, but this was deleted for the Mk.IA which also had a larger span tailplane and increased area of the fins and rudders.

The Manchester did not enter service until November 1940 when No.207 Squadron became the first recipient. The first operational attack was on the port of Brest on the night of 24/25th February 1941 and although the aircraft had excellent flying qualities, the unreliable Vulture engines had frequent in-flight failures. The last operational raid was on Bremen on 25/26th June 1942, after which, the Manchester was withdrawn from service and relegated to a training role.

The design of a new four-engined version powered by the excellent Rolls-Royce Merlin meant the cancellation of Manchester production after 158 had been built with the last 43 aircraft being completed as the Avro 683 Lancaster. The failure of the Manchester, however, provided R.A.F. Bomber Command with the Lancaster, the most successful heavy night bomber of the Second World War.

(Monochrome Photograph showing - The fine lines of this Manchester Mk. 1A, L7515, are clearly shown as the aircraft flies alongside a Handley Page Hampden in November 1941.)