Lancaster Bomber

Q: Why was the Lancaster bomber so good?

The Lancaster bomber was so good because it flew further and could carry heavier bomb loads than any previous airplane. It also handled well, even when damaged.

Q: What replaced the Lancaster bomber?

The Lancaster was ultimately replaced in the Royal Air Force by the Avro 694 Lincoln.

Q: Which famous raids was the Lancaster bomber involved in?

Lancaster bombers were involved in many famous raids, such as Operation Chastise ('Dambusters') to destroy the Ruhr dams, the raid which sank the battleship Tirpitz, and heavy bombing raids on major German cities such as Hamburg, Cologne, and Berlin.

Mark Cartwright

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Definition

The Avro 683 Lancaster bomber was a four-engine heavy bomber flown by the Royal Air Force and allies during the Second World War (1939-45). Lancasters were particularly used in nighttime bombing raids and could carry the heaviest bombs ever dropped in WWII. Lancasters dropped the 'bouncing bombs' on several Ruhr dams in Operation Chastise, the 'Dambusters' raid of May 1943.

More about: Lancaster Bomber

Timeline

Jan 1941
The first prototype of the Lancaster bomber is built.
Mar 1942
The first RAF Lancaster bomber squadrons are formed.
Aug 1942
Lancaster bombers attack the MAN factory producing diesel engines for U-boats in Augsburg.
16 May 1943
Lancaster bombers carry out Operation Chastise, the 'Dambusters' raid on Ruhr dams in Germany.
12 Nov 1944
Lancaster bombers sink the German battleship Tirpitz in Norwegian waters.
14 Mar 1945
Lancaster bombers drop 'Grand Slam' bombs on the Bielefeld Viaduct and destroy it.
1950
The last RAF Lancaster bomber in service is decomissioned.