617Dambusters

Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster became the most effective heavy bomber of WW2 and formed the back-bone of the Bomber Offensive against German industrial cities. It was well-liked by pilots, having four powerful and reliable Rolls-Royce Merlin engines (the same as fitted to the Spitfire fighter) and excellent handling characteristics. It had a crew of seven (Pilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer, Wireless Operator, Bomb Aimer/Front Gunner, Mid-Upper Gunner and Rear Gunner). Specially adapted Lancasters took part in the famous ‘Dambusters’ raid. Lancasters also dropped five ton ‘Tallboy’ bombs to sink the much-feared German battleship ‘Tirpitz’ and by the end of the war were able to drop the 10 ton ‘Grand Slam’ bomb on precision targets such as bridges and viaducts.