AVRO 683 Lancaster

(Monochrome Photograph showing - The Lancaster prototype, BT308, showing its triple fin tail arrangement is seen here in January 1941.)

The prototype had its maiden flight at Ringway on 9 January 1941 in the capable hands of Avro chief test pilot Sam Brown and was originally a conversion of a Manchester Mk.I fitted with the triple fin arrangement. It was subsequently fitted with a larger span tailplane and twin fins of the Mk IA and these became standard on all Lancasters.

The first production Lancaster (L7527) made its first flight from Woodford on 31 October 1941. It differed from the prototypes in having uprated Merlin engines which increased the loaded weight significantly.

As the performance was outstanding, large scale production was planned and the group of factories being tooled up included, Avro, Austin, Metropolitan-Vickers and Armstrong Whitworth.

The first of many famous Lancaster raids to make head line news came in 17 April 1942 when twelve aircraft of Nos.44 and 97 Squadrons made a low level attack on the M.A.N. U-boat engine factory at Augsburg resulting in the first Victoria Cross for Lancaster action being awarded to Sqn.Ldr. J. D. Nettleton. Nine other V.C's were to be awarded to Lancaster crew members during the war.

In August 1942 Lancasters of No.83 Squadron took part the first operation by the Pathfinder Force in a raid on Flensburg.

(Monochrome Photograph - This aircraft represents B-Baker of No. 44 Squadron in which Squadron Leader John Nettleton won his Victoria Cross for leading the famous daylight raid in the U-boat engine factory at Augsburg on 17 April 1942.)