Avro Lancaster B Mk.II - The Forgotten Lancaster
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- Опубликовано: 19 май 2024
- Here we shall look at a Radial Engine powered Lancaster B Mk.II Bomber.
Please note - In the video, I mention the Bristol Hercules Mk.14, it should be Mk.16.
Also, I said that the Merlin engine is an in-line engine. I should have said The Merlin is a Supercharged, geared, pressure liquid cooled V-Engine, fitted with a two-speed Supercharger.
I'm sorry about this. Thanks for watching. Bryan
As always, we shall be referring to wartime Air Ministry Manuals.
Textual extracts from Air Ministry Air Publications are Crown Copyright and transcribed with the kind permission of the National Archives, London. All colour diagrams are based on original Air Ministry Air Publications mono illustrations and transcribed into colour by Bryan Atkinson with the permission of the National Archives, London.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:12 First, a Big Thank you
1:03 How many Lancaster IIs were built?
1:22 Why was the Lancaster II Built?
2:01 The Lancaster Mk. II Prototype
2:29 Armstrong Whitworth Factory
3:01 First Production Batch
3:36 Second Production Batch
4:05 The Packard Merlin
4:37 Sent for Trials
4:46 No. 61 Squadron Tests
5:50 Lancaster B Mk. II's first Operation
6:09 A Height Problem
7:06 No. 115 Squadron RAF
8:06 Don't mix the Engines!
8:51 No. 514 Squadron RAF
9:12 The Royal Canadian Air Force
9:22 No. 426 (Thunderbird) Squadron RCAF
9:44 No. 408 (Goose) Squadron RCAF
9:58 No. 432 (Leaside) Squadron RCAF
10:59 The Lancaster Mk. II in more Detail
11:27 The Bristol Hercules Engine
11:53 The Power Egg
12:04 The Engine Firewall & Exhaust Manifold Ring
12:18 The Engine Cowlings
12:37 Differences in the Cockpit
12:49 Lancaster Mk. I Instrument Panel
12:52 Lancaster Mk. II Instrument Panel
13:16 Comparing the Flight Engineer’s Panels
13:56 The Pilot's Auxiliary Panel
14:37 The FN.64 Mid Lower Gun Turret
15:22 The Bulged Bomb Bay
15:42 Carrying the 8,000lb Bomb
16:02 Differences in Bomb Loads
16:31 D-Day and only two Squadrons left
16:53 Lancaster B Mk. II, LL735
The material contained in this video is intended for historical, reference, and entertainment value only, and is not to be construed as usable for aircraft or component restoration, maintenance, or use.
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Photographs Used:
San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Breeze (Mr), Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
RAF Chedburgh, Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Vickers Wellington
Press Agency photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Beaufighter
SDASM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Handley Page Halifax
Australian official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Avro Lancaster S Sugar
Press Agency photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
British Ministry of Information via Australian armed forces, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Ministry of Information official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Royal Canadian Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Press Agency photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
D Day
Hampton, J A (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Saunders Roe SR/A1
British official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Metrovick Beryl Jet Engine
Barmaglot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
U Boat
HQ Coastal Command, Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Whitley Bomber
Hensser H (F/O), Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Handley Page Halifax
Bellamy W (Mr), Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
8,000lb Super Cookie
Royal Air Force official photographer, Clark N S (Fg Off), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The below photographs are included with the kind permission of Harold A Skaarup:-
Avro Lancaster Mk. II (Serial No. DS723), coded EQ-B, No. 408 Squadron, RCAF. (No. 408 Squadron Photo)
Avro Lancaster B Mk. I (Serial No. R5727), was built in the UK and flown to Victory Aircraft in Malton, Canada in August 1942 to serve as a pattern for the other Lancasters to be built in Canada. These photos shown the FN.64 Mid Lower Gun Turret as fitted to the Lancaster Mk.I (CFJIC-DND Photos, PL-1182, PL-1174, PL-1175, and PL-1180 via Don Smith)
#lancasterbomber #avrolancaster #ukaircraftexplored
Please note: In the Video I say Bristol Hercules Mk.14 - it should be 16. Sorry about this. I have corrected the captions. Also, I say that the Merlin engine is an in-line engine. I should have said The Merlin is a Supercharged, geared, pressure liquid cooled V-Engine, fitted with a two-speed Supercharger.
I'm sorry about this. I seriously thought about deleting the video and re uploading, but all my views and comments would be lost. Thanks for watching everyone! Bryan
It doesn't matter about the hiccups Brian. You're doing a great job for history.
I wouldn't stress over the inline thing. AFAICS the WWII aircraft engine literature typically talks about radials vs. inlines, with inlines implying liquid cooled engines with cylinders behind each others, including in multiple cylinder banks like in a V engine. And yes, even including weird/exotic things like the Napier Sabre with it's H configuration.
No worries, mate. In my own jot- tings, I continue amending and editing, an ongoing process I call "tightening up the knowledge". Some might be simply changing a 14 to a 16. Others might be rather more involved. Still more could include a correction a reader provides.
Thanks for bringing this to us, I didn't know that any Lancaster used anything other than Merlin engines, nor that some had a lower turret. Don't worry about minor discrepencies, it doesn't spoil the experience
I understood your reference to in line to apply to the crankshaft and as such is correct enough⚡👍
I have stood next to to G for George at the ripe age of 12. I was in awe. AWM, Canberra 1964.
Thanks for sharing
My uncle was the bomb aimer on LL640. Unfortunately their aircraft was shot down in March 1944 and he did not survive. He is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery along with nearly all other members of the crew.
Visited the Rheinberg war cemetery a few times, well cared for. RiP all that lie in there.
Thanks for sharing - Heroes all
Fair dues to the Germans. They did generally treat dead airmen pretty well.
Sad, heroes all
My Great Uncle was on DS678 (115 sqdn). His Lanc was shot down March 44 as well, grave has been lost over time but I went to his rededication ceremony a few years ago.
I like how the Air Ministry even made sure they had a workable radial engined version of the Lancaster just on the offchance that the Merlin's weren't available for what ever reason.You've really got to hand it to the British engineers.It seems as though there was nothing that they overlooked during the war.Brilliant.
That's certainly very true Karl. With all the research I have done over the years, one thing that has always struck me was the amazing depth of detail that took place during the design and construction process of each aircraft type. Also in the operation of all types of aircraft during the war. The entire aviation industry did its best to work as a team. Not all things worked out right, but they certainly worked hard to provide our forces with the best equipment possible at the time. The other thing, of course, was that during that time, technology was constantly changing. Thanks for watching.
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 reminds me of how the air ministry requested an alternative powerplant for the Hampden incase Pegasus engines weren't available. Thus the Napier Dagger powered Handley Page Hereford was built. Served with one Operational squadron and competed in a single raid before being relegated to training squadrons. The dagger was terribly unreliable. It wasn't underpowered and the specifications in some areas did exceed the Hampden, it was just Hopelessly unreliable
An extraordinary channel and very brilliant narrated. Now as a Modell builder I 'm learning a lot of RAF Airpower in
WW II. My grandpa was a radio operator in a ME - 110 G Night fighter. He told me, that British Pilots had flying excellent maneuvers and where highly trained for Operations in completely darkness!
Thanks for your comments, I'm pleased you have found the video interesting
Thank you for putting this up. My dad was an AID inspector with AWA for over 30 years and worked on the B Mk. II and a whole lot of other types/makes (eg Whitley, Lancaster, Lincoln, Meteor, Hunter, Javelin, Argosy, Sea Slug, etc) over the years until the company closed its doors in the 1960's.
AWA had plants at Whitley (where we lived), Baginton and at Bitteswell; dad worked at all three locations over the years and was also seconded to various Bomber Command stations during the war, overseeing retrofits. I still have his factory-issued copy of Flight and The Aeroplane 1947 reviews of the AW 52 Flying Wing, plus the company's Handling Notes on the Hawker Sea Hawk and the Meteor Night Fighter series, Mks.11 to 14. So, lots of memories for me; thanks again.
Thanks for sharing and for watching
My Grandad (Eric Ilett ) was an inspector on Lancasters during the war. Mainly round Chadderton / Woodford factories, but i do remember my dad saying that he was sent to "help sort problems out at Bristols for a while ??? " so i presume that grandad was one of the team sent from AVROs to Bristols to look into using these engines ( but could be completely wrong )
All my family were AVRO except me......i joined the navy and served in submarines.....well.....one has to rebel
Thanks for all these excellent videos, .....the Lanc has always been close to the family.
cheers everyone ...mike ilett.
Very interesting and thank you for sharing
Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.
Thanks for watching Gordon!
within minutes of watching your video - I can see you deserve many more watchers. Top stuff.
Thanks 👍
An excellent description, as always and packed with information - thank you! Nice to see the letters QR of 61 Squadron on many of the profiles. My father's second tour of operations with 61 Sqn was mainly flying Mk1s and later the odd Mk111 from RAF Syerston. His log shows that he flew Mk11s on ops twice - the first, a 6 hour flight on 7th Feb 1943 to Lorient in Lanc 11 serial no.612, carrying 1x4000 pounder and 10 S.B.C.s. The second op of 9hrs 20mins to Milan on 14th Feb 1943 in Lanc 11 serial no.613, carrying 14 S.B.C.s. Both operations attracted the award of a photographic 'gong' for getting good aiming point photos. I still have these, each with a nice drawing of a Lanc with the names of the crew displayed. On the Milan raid, my father's log mentions that there was a fighter attack, which was claimed damaged and driven off. My father, Sqn.Ldr. Geoffrey Hall DFC & Bar passed away in September 1986 - he never spoke much about his experiences, except in letters to his father. They make fascinating reading, but there is so much more I would like to ask him now!
That is very interesting, thanks so much for sharing.
Superbly done and much appreciated. Between yourself and Neville Wheeldons channel Im learning so much more about an aircraft I thought I knew well. Thank you 👍🏻
You're very welcome - Great to hear!
I really enjoy your detailed videos and the insight they provide - thanks for taking the time to make them. I also really appreciate that you list your media sources at the end - it's very helpful. I came here while thinking about the Airfix Mk II I'm going to build - now I think I'm going to do it in the prototype scheme :)
You're very welcome, much more on the way!
This showed up in my recommended videos this morning, have to say I'm disappointed that youtube has been hiding your channel for so long. I've been working my way through your other videos and have thoroughly enjoyed them. There's so many military aircraft channels, but so few go into anywhere the kind of detail that you do on your channel.
Thanks for your kind words Christopher, I put a great deal of work into these videos, and really want to help to keep UK aviation history alive. I can only hope that in time You Tube will put my videos in front of more aviation minded people, who would appreciate my content. Thanks so much for sharing and watching. Onwards and Upwards!
Absolutely fascinating- I had no knowledge of the radial powered Lancasters until quite recently and then up popped your excellent tutorial! Many thanks 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Thoroughly enjoyed this and all of your video’s. Well researched, looking forward to the next one.
Much more to come! Thanks for watching!
Excellent video presentation on the wonderful MK-II Lancaster!
My Grandfather was kia in DS816 JI-O. June 15, 1944. The black and white image of the mk-II flying you used often in this video is LL734 JI-O, of 514 Squadron. It replaced my Grandad and crewmates a/c after it was lost. 514 converted to mk-IIIs by June 1944. Shared your video on the 514 facebook page. Cheers, 514 Page Admin. P.s. interestingly, 514 was equipped with 2 x MK-IIs with the venteral turrett fitted.
Thanks for watching
"Radial engined Lancasters?? , no such animal...." oops , learn something new every day. Thanks for the video !. :)
There was a B17 powered by Allison V12 also
You're very welcome!
I recently finished building a Lancaster B.II (Airfix) and as stated in your video it was based at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire in November 1944. The particular one was 'Fanny Ferkin II'. A highly unusual Lanc also with the pretty ineffective ventral turret operated by periscope! I wanted to do that kit as it is such an unusual version of the legendary plane :)
It certainly was. Thanks for watching!
The series for the Lancaster and Spitfire have been great (I have to say I have yet to fully view all the videos). I hope we will see more videos of other aircraft in due course. Great work!
Yes, I am working on other aircraft, so watch this space! Thanks for watching, you are appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video, I have always been interested in the oddball aitcraft and your video has explained a lot.
Glad it was helpful!
Brilliant descriptive Video of the Lancaster aircraft great technical detail gave added value with the technical descriptives and diagrams, a Wonderful and well produced item. Terry Offord
That's very nice of you Terry, I really appreciate your kind words. Yes, my colour diagrams and planning do take a great deal of time, hence I often can't get a video out each week. Still, rest assured, I have many more videos planned. So please check my channel for the latest when posted. Thanks for watching.
As thorough and informative as ever. Many thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for another amazing video, Bryan. The Hercules was a very advanced engine, in many respects the ultimate air cooled piston engine. Just the Hercules and its sleeve valve system would make for an excellent video.
Great point! Thanks for watching
Excellent video, thanks a lot. It's so important to keep our history and heritage alive.
I couldn't agree more!
Fascinating! So impressive the innovation and the rapid manufacturing during wartime. Such impressive engineering in those beautiful engines. I think we would have a hard time matching that in today's computerized world where many skills have been lost. Or maybe I'm not up to date with today's manufacturing best practice. Great video, great illustrations. Many thanks. Subscribed. Rob in Switzerland.
Thank you so much for subscribing, I have many videos coming and thanks for watching
Ive not heard of this aircraft before, the idea behind it is pretty amazing in its own right to be able to continue even if merlins couldnt be used.
Glad you found it interesting, thank you.
Another superbly researched, scripted and illustrated video. Thank you.
Many thanks!
A most interesting video.
My highest compliments!
I am a fan of the Lancaster B ll despite it's shortcomings.
My highest regards.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it
Very interesting, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video. I did make me remember a story on a Post WWII repurposed Lancaster for passengers that crashed into a mountain in poor visabilaty at high altitude because we didn't know about or understand the Jet stream.. they were flying head on with it and descended too soon . It was a mystery until it started resurfacing at the bottom of a Glacier. I have a foggy memory of Rottary Engine's. I do watch lots of these videos and could be incorrect about the Engine
Yes, it was a BSAA Avro Lancastrian named 'Star Dust' it was fitted with Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. It sadly crashed in 1947. Thanks for watching and sharing.
This was extremely interesting I have just a few moments ago ordered the airfix model of this Lancaster variant thank you great work
Glad it was helpful!
Very informative video. Being an aeroplane buff myself too, I knew of the radial engined Lancs but along with the Blenheim remains a relatively forgotten aircraft
Thanks for the info and for watching!
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 The Short Stirling also falls into the same category as the others in that aeroplane is forgotten too
And the in line engined Wellington, another rarity, often not forgotten just unknown, the mid lower gun turret was a brilliant idea just needing better visibility, it would have definitely woken a few nightfighters up.
Thanks for the great Video. It was very interesting filling in some information I did know about the Lancaster,
Glad you enjoyed it!
My late uncle from NZ flew Merlin powered Lancaster’s in WW2. He flew many sorties over Europe and was lucky to survive the war uninjured. He also ferried new aircraft from Halifax in Canada to the UK as well as being a flight instructor. He said the Merlin engines were better than the Packard built Merlin’s but I don’t remember why that was. I would assume the Merlin powered Lancasters could operate at a higher ceiling due to the 2 stage super charging which supplied more air to the engine thus more horsepower at those high altitudes. I think the Rolls Royce Merlin contributed to the winning of WW2 especially in the Spitfires.
Thanks for sharing
derekfromtauranga Sorry ole Bean you are wrong !!!! All Lancaster Mk Bi's & Mk BIII used the Merlin 20 series engines that were SINGLE STAGE 2 SPEED superchargers !!! NOT the 2 stage 60 series engines, why their service ceiling was barely 20,000 ft. This is the MISTAKE most people make is ALL merlins were 2 stage and not true, of the 20,000 $hitfires built only7,000 were Merlin 60 powered, 2 stage supercharges the rest of the 13,000 were all the SINGLE STAGE 2 speed supercharged, the facts of history less the hype lies and just BS stories !!!
A great video - thank you. The interchangeability of engines 'just in case' was a very good idea not only for production numbers, but as some of the projected power outputs weren't achieved as planned I think? The Halifax Mk I/III was a very good example of using both engines, plus the Wellington Mk II used Merlins. There was even an experimental Beaufighter with Merlins but it didn't fare well, and wasn't put into production. I must brace myself to make my Airfix Lancaster B.II soon!
Thank you very much!
some merlin Beau were operational but as yoy say they wernt loved
Brilliant video thank you for sharing. Very interesting. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you
👍Thanks for video. Although I knew that a number of Lancasters were in service with radials, all I could remember was that they were Bristol engines. I really like the detailed drawings.
Thank you, you're very welcome. Much more to come!
Very interesting and informative. Thanks for posting. It would have been helpful to have some comparative horsepower ratings for the different powerplants discussed in this presentation. Cheers.
Thanks for sharing. I have to say when creating a video like this, it is a bit of a juggling act to decide how far to go with data, etc.
Anyway, the maximum power ratings are as follows -
Bristol Hercules XVI. 'M' Gear - 1,675 bhp. 'S' Gear - 1,455 bhp.
Rolls-Royce Merlin XX. 'M' Gear - 1,240 bhp. 'S' Gear - 1,175 bhp.
I hope this helps.
It’s not forgotten at all. I am grateful to all involved with these aircrafts. To those who build them and especially to those brave men who flew them. Love from Sweden.
Thanks
Dear@@ukaircraftexplored6556,
Of cause I had no idea about all the technical details concerning the beautiful Lancaster. However, thinking of all inventions that made it happen’d and all those brave men and women who built it and later flew it. It made my eyes strangely wet and I can tell you Sir, forever grateful. Swede by birth but a Britton at heart. Thanks for posting!
Excellent detail (I had always assumed that all Lancasters were powered by the merlin engines) ☺ The story of the Mustang P51 and it's eventual change to merlin engines and licence to build in America was one I actually was aware of! Fascinating stuff, And so much depended on these developments and the people behind them.
Glad you liked it!
Very interesting and informative, thank you. Makes me wonder if the MkII might have been a more survivable option for the dambuster raid, but I suspect they may not have been able to cope with the payload. Much appreciated.
You are very welcome!
Doubt whether the trype os engine would have mad much if any difference to the casualties in the raid on the Chastise mission.
Plus the Mk II could only carry lighter bombload that the Mk I. Given the nature of the losses on the Dams raid different engines would have made little or no difference.
Halifaxes with Merlins were superior to the Hercules engined Halifaxes further suggesting that Mk II would not have been any more survivable.
Not sure where the idea that the Merlin engined Halifax was superior came from, the Hercules variants came about because of the the poor performance of the Merlin variants and the mark III and later mark VI with the improved Hercules 100 engines were far better. The problems with the Merlin in the Halifax came about because Handley Page ignored Rolls Royce's advice and used their own nacelles instead of the RR power egg like Avro.
Brilliant video...thanks👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks. A wealth of information! I have always liked the Mk. II, and was overjoyed when Airfix, a few years ago, put out a model of one. I love the radial engine look. And also the ventral turret. Thanks again.
Thanks for sharing! Hope your model goes well.
that's really interesting , could never imagined a radial engine Lancaster. thanks
Glad you liked it!
Highly informative, well done
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks again for a very informative and interesting video. I did know a little about the radial engined Lancaster from a visit to the " Wellington museum" in Moreton in the March. Although dedicated to the Wellington bomber there's a cut away Hercules engine and a photo of a Lancaster fitted with them. I find it difficult to understand that the very complex engine with the parts to operate the "sleve valves" , could be produced and built under war time conditions easier than setting up more RR Merlin plants
Thanks for sharing and for watching
These videos really are very good! I read that some crews liked the Hercules Lancs because there was very little exhaust glare at night compared to the Merlin powered variants, they also had a faster rate of climb. (edit, I might be wrong on the rate of climb, I'll have to check my "Lancaster at war" books)
Thanks for watching!
Flying along in the dark, with a nice pair of Bristol's either side of you. No wonder 115 Sqd felt safer.
Many Canadians regretted the removal of their ventral guns. When one thinks of the night fighters later on, creeping up below undetected...
I've read conflicting things about the Lancaster II in terms of performance. Many books claim it "underperformed" compared to the Merlin powered Lancasters, but a lot of the first hand accounts from 426 "Thunderbird" squadron RCAF which flew the type talk about it flying higher than normal lancasters and performing quite well. I suspect the issue may have been the engines; the earlier Mark IIs had the Bristol Hercules VI engine while later marks had the Hercules XVI. I've read the XVI was more "Automatic" and required less tinkering to fly at full efficiency, so I suspect that the poor initial performance of the Lanc II was the earlier marks with the VI engines, while the higher performance you read about in first hand accounts come from the later production models with XVI's. Just a hypothesis of mine however.
Great video. My uncle was a gunner on one of the Lanc's over Germany way back when. Sadly he never made it back one night.
I'm sorry to hear that, and thanks for watching.
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 No worries. I actually just stumbled onto your channel. now subd. Great content. He died to defend his loved ones like so many others. Channels like yours keep what they did in peoples minds and therefore they and their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Thank you. Also as a pilot it is really nice to learn more about these old birds. Its been a life long dream to fly a WW2 warbird, or for that matter even just ride in one.
Very interesting and informative, I had no idea that these Lancaster versions ever existed.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for a very interesting video an a bomber I had not known about. It is always interesting to see different designs of powerplants other than the American engines I have been familiar with.
Glad you liked it. Thank you.
Excellent visuals and explanations. Seemed logical to me that these must have existed too.
P.S. Subscribed. Such interesting and good technical explanations.
Welcome aboard and thank you for watching
Thank you so much for this.
You are so welcome!
Built a model of this Lanc , just a bit different, very informative video, thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Very informative, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Wow, what an interesting and very informative episode, I had never heard about the Saunders Roe jet powered flying boat or the engine that powered it, I do consider myself a bit of a military aviation nerd, buff or armchair historian and to have never even heard about the flying boat I can honestly say that you have added another page to my knowledge bank, thanks for making my day, I learnt something new. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇦
I remember as a teenager in the late 40's and early 50's that there was a model aircraft kit available from Kiel Kraft kits of the Saunders-roe jet powered flying boat. If my memory serves me well it was to be powered by a Jetex solid fuel powered model rocket engine. In the real world I think that this flying boat was the last gasp of the flying boat era. Their only real advantage was that flying boats did not need runways, and the trend in those days was that higher speed aircraft needed longer runways which were expensive to build. For other reasons the flying boat was a technological dead end, especially in the jet age.
Good 'ol Jetex - I could never get mine to work, all I got was putt putt. Perhaps it was damp. Anyway, I must have been doing something wrong!
I'm so pleased you have found my video informative. I'm all about promoting UK aviation history. If you have any ideas you'd like to see me cover, please let me know. Thanks so much for watching!
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 JETEX - they could be a bit tricky, right enough. I could only afford the smallest one the Jetex 50. The solid fuel pellet was ignited by a fuse which had to be carefully fashioned in a spiral round the pellet, held in place against the pellet with a metal gauze disc then passed through the ejection hole to permit a match to be applied. The fuse strings were quite delicate - they could crumble with rough handling and it was tricky getting them through the ejection hole. The whole assembly was held together with a toggle clip. You needed skilled hands and everything had to be kept clean.
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 Informative without doubt -an exhaustive presentation in fact.
Regarding other possible subjects : The Fairly Battle might be one. It was a horrible concept, since the Battle was about twice the weight of a Spifire, and powered by the same Merlin.
Regarding Lancasters, I had the pleasure of knowing a veteran pilot from 101 Squadron based in Ludford Magna. These were the guys which carried an eighth crew member who spoke German like a native and which broadcasted a voice signal designed to confuse the enemy night fighters. The radio signal was also used by the said fighters to home in. Needless to say the scheme was not popular with the Lancaster aircrews. My friend, who completed nearly two tours was lucky to have survived.
Beautiful and effective aircraft. Saw one at our airshow in Australia. Ex usaf here.
Thanks
Fascinating had no idea there was a radial engined Lanc.
Your welcome!
When he stops to plug his video it is pretty cool how all the stuff works on the bomber the turrets but also that turret in night bombers can be replaced with a radar and he has videos about that too.
Thanks for watching
Wow l❤ this so much thanks so much
Great video, thank you!
My pleasure!
They have one of these engines in museum in Coventry - Prince Philip asked them what aircraft it was from and rudely told them it was not from a Lancaster. Gutless museum staff didn't explain to him that it was indeed from a radial-engined Lanc.
Thanks for sharing
My father was a flight engineer on these with 115 squadron. he was shot down on a mine laying mission to la rochelle. He evaded capture.
Thanks for sharing
Interesting stuff. Thanks 👍
No problem 👍
I knew vaguely about the MkII Lancaster and had heard of the operational height problems but really enjoyed this informative video! It's a wonder that this aircraft wasn't adapted to carry out long range anti submarine and coastal defence duties. Extra fuel tanks and the addition of 50 cal. machine guns, 20 mm canon and depth charges, would have made this Lancaster a formidable sub and ship killer.
Yes, it could have been. Thanks for watching
Late in WW2, Harris rounded up the Herculese-engined Lancasters and assigned them to Group 3 of Bomber command, which was using the Gee-H precision-bombing apparatus and did not need Pathfinders. They were able to destroy a lot of the synthetic fuel plants, because of their high accuracy; and also demonstrated this in a precision attack on Trier on December 19, 1944 , in "impossible" weather, which destroyed a centre of concentration of German armour and thus contributed to the failure of "the battle of the bulge". (Ref: "Bomber Harris" ISBN 0-385-11258-0 PP 266/267). The Herculese-powered aircraft were considerably faster at low level than the Merlin XX - engined versions; their bombing altitude was 20,000 feet, versus about 25,000 feet for the Merlin. This presumably reflects that the superchargers of the Herculese were optimised for lower altitudes than those of the Merlin XX, which developed a maximum of 1,240 HP at 12,000 feet in low supercharger gear. The Hercules 16 produced 1375 HP at 4000 feet.
@@dafyddllewellyn6636 Interesting. Finding accurate information on the Hercules has been difficult. The Halifax with the Merlin was a dog and the RR Heritage trust book on the Halifax explains exactly why and does some comparisons with the Lancaster show a huge difference in performance and showing that the Halifax at cruise height and speed was on the point of stall. It’s somewhat of a paradox that when the engine were reversed the Halifax III was the better performing aircraft and could attain a higher altitude. Which begs the question are we comparing apple with apples.
@@tempestnut One needs to know a lot more than the history books show; The propeller has a major effect, and the cooling drag can be a major factor. The Herculese in the Lancaster II was evidently considerably affected by how the pilot used the cooling gills; getting that wrong could mean you did not have sufficient fuel for the return flight. The wing aspect ratio is also critical. Getting it all optimised was not always possible in the rush of war. For example, the Lancaster was a conversion of the Avro Manchester, by using available Merlin engine "power eggs" that had been developed for (I think) a Merlin-powered version of the Wellington. Early Lancasters had rather pointed propeller-blade tips, but later these were changed to "Paddle" blades, which gave better performance at altitude. All these developmental changes need to be taken into account, to make valid comparisons, so you are correct about "oranges and apples".
I do enjoy going through the lanc registration book and finding out about the ones that appear in pictures.
Thanks for watching
Just a light dusting of technical details but of interest to this armchair airman. Thanks!
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching
Superb video no b/s just plain facts well done good Sir
Thanks and I'm so glad you liked it
I read that the Beryl, following the removal from the S.R. flying boat, was used to power Donald Campbell's Bluebird jet boat.
Yes, that's correct
My friend's Father was a Tail gunner in 426 Squadron in
"Linton on Ouse "...With the Bristol Hercules engines. 1944/45...guessing here ( Mark X ) guessing again...
Could have been the Hercules Mk.VI or XVI engine. Thanks for sharing!
My great uncle’s Mk 2 DS650 crashed on the Scottish boarder and all the crew were killed. The accident was never explained. I wonder now if it was engine failure?
My Grandad was shot down in a Mk 3 returning from Druisburg, taken POW. Brian we found his first hand account of this very recently if you are interested? It describes being attacked by night fighters, his time as a POW and his liberation.
Thanks for sharing
I really enjoyed this most interesting study .I would like to see details of the sleeve valve arrangement if possible . Many thanks.
Great suggestion and thanks for watching
I drink occasionally in the Chequers pub in Sutton near Ely. We have the site of the old Mepal aerodrome nearby and the pub was frequented by the crews of that New Zealand squadron. There are a number of pictures of the planes and crews and I have always been confused by the mix of in line and radial powered planes. This may explain how I get confused. I must look again soon!🍺🍻
Thanks for watching
What a real shame they never kept one in a museum somewhere.
I totally agree, Neil
The Hercules was used because in 1941 the Merlin engine was in such demand it was feared demand would outstrip production, it had 1752 hp and the service ceiling was lower at 15000 ft whereas the Merlin Lanc has a service ceiling of around 20,000 ft but later Merlin versions had a ceiling of around 24,000 ft
Thanks for watching
Nice informative video.. on the BII
The following was recently discovered in a very old, dusty, forgotten RAF archive:
“In February, 1944, the First Air Board of The Royal Air Ministry, commenced a study under the supervision of Maj. Gen. Alastair Stanley:
Various RAF bomber officers were assembled to determine the manner and frequency whereby RAF bombers had been struck by German anti-aircraft guns and by Luftwaffe interceptors. After exhaustive study, it was determined that the bombers were hit more frequently by a factor of three on their Dark Green upper-side parts than on their Dark Earth parts, and more frequently yet on their Matte Black underside parts by a factor of five. A recommendation to the Air Ministry was then made suggesting that all RAF aircraft operating at night over Nazi-controlled territory be henceforth painted Dark Earth overall, eliminating all Matte Black and Dark Green paint entirely in order to reduce such strikes in the future. (see comparison charts annexed hereto)
This study was generously submitted to and shared with the U. S. Eighth Army Air Force which, upon further reflection thereof, issued a general order that in order to prevent being struck by German anti-aircraft guns or by Luftwaffe interceptors whatsoever, no paint of any colour (or “color” as the Yanks say it) whatsoever would henceforth be applied to the surfaces of their aircraft.”
At least with regard to the American aircraft, this was done. An official report of the result of such has not yet been discovered, but we’re assiduously looking for it. It is not presently known what happened to this study or the people who performed it, but we do know that neither it nor they were, until most recently, ever heard of again.
Thank you so much for sharing and for watching
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 My pleasure, We're still looking for that report about the unpainted American aircraft.
Ive got several Lancaster bomb control switch panels! Came over to the US with a model train set i picked up. Took a bit to figure out what they were from.
Thanks for watching and sharing
The Canadians out west are rebuilding another Lanc. They might be interested in or helpful of your parts.
Wow cheers love it
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Great video...... I didn't even know there was a radial engined Lancaster.... You learn something new every day!
Glad I could help!
Oh! it looks so strange .. I keep thinking Halifax when i see those engines. :D
I know what you mean!
My grandad flew on Lancs from RAF Foulsham 43 onwards. He was a navigator.
Thank you
Great channel
Thanks Josh. Much more to come!
An oft-forgotten version - thanks for your historical research. Do you have something similar about the last of the Lancaster family, the Shackleton? I remember them flying in Singapore in the late '60s when my father was stationed at Changi
Thanks, the Shackleton is certainly an aircraft for consideration
So forgotten, Airfix have had a model kit of it for ages.
I have the mk II. It's a very good kit.
Enjoy your build, if you buy one!
Hi there I had just dropped on your channel I thought it was strange because I saw a Lancaster on Friday 27/08/22 flying over worksop towards Doncaster I had took twice it was really low but it locked fantastic I no the vulcan bomber hear in Doncaster
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for this video, the first one I've ever seen about the Lancater B Mk. II. I have a question about a specific Lancaster from 514 squadron that crashed in my village of Iwuy (France 59141) during the night of the 15/16th june 1944 this was LL 690 JI -J. I just would like to know if it is possible to know if this bomber was equipped with the FN.64 Mid Lower Gun Turret ? I can see there was one on LL 624 JP - L and according your video on some other ones but I wonder about LL 690, JI- J, thanks for your help.
Thanks for sharing
Brilliant graphics! I'm now a fan. One day humans will think in diagrams rather than words, lol!
You and me both!
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 But seriously, those diagrams of systems and sub-systems are beautifully done and must represent a lot of hours on your part. They set a standard that I hope will be imitated on all machinery oriented presentations. The prize winner will be a diagram of the mind in terms of levers and pulleys. :)
The only reason why they switched back to the Merlin was the ready availability of the American-built Packard Merlin engine, if what I've read was correct. Otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if all Lancasters had switched to the Hercules engine on a permanent basis, especially since the Hercules engine was lot less vulnerable to being hit by bullets.
Thanks for watching
Some Mk IIs were fitted with a single .50 Browning in place of the FN 64 turret , as seen on some flying with 408 Goose (RCAF) Squadron for example .
I will look into that. Thank you
Hi I'm Steve I'm lost for words ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍
Thank you very much. Please keep watching, I have many more videos in the pipeline!
I have a profound fascination with those sleeve valve radial engines. I find them beautiful!
(Should I seek counseling?)
No, it's quite natural, they were an engineering work of art. Thanks for watching
Ah, very good subject. I’ve been studying Bomber Command and the three heavies, and have been curious about the Hercules’ version of the Lanc. I’ve yet to understand why the Hercules was so good for the Halifax, but not the Merlin, and vice-versa for the Lancaster - assuming this is true and not some unsubstantiated claim.
I thought I'd try creating a different type of video, hope you liked it and thanks for watching.
It's true enough, the reasons for Merlin's problems in the Halifax were the HP designed nacelles which went against the advice of Roll Royce rather than the preferred RR power egg and as a result had reduction gear vibration problems in addition to airflow issues over the wing. The Hercules performance in the Halifax increased when improvements were made to them but the Lancaster production of the Hercules variant ceased after 300 were made, long before the improved Hercules variants were available with improved supercharging timing.
@@ericadams3428 Which might be more of an answer to why the Stirling was so good at low level but unable to get much past 15000 feet. Maybe the ceiling issue which is always blamed on the shortened wings had as much to do with the engines as it did the airframe.
I don't think that the question has ever been asked.
@@kellybreen5526 - Interesting point. I'm sure the reduced power as the altitude increased couldn't of helped.
The improvements to the Hercules carried on long after Stirling development was abandoned.
Thanks for your video, the first one I can see about the Avro Lancaster B MK II. One of them crashed in my village (59141 Iwuy France) coming from 514 squadron during the night of 15/16th june 1944. Can you tell me if this bomber was equipped with the FN 64 mid lower gun turret. Thanks for your help
Thanks for watching, Yes some were fitted with the Frazer Nash FN..64 Mid Lower Turret. I have a video you can watch covering the FN.64 Gun Turret in great detail. Thanks also for subscribing and have a great day!
It would be nice if you could do a similar video on the Merlin powered Halifax and Wellington and Beaufighter.
I will look into that - watch this space!
Thanks for the good and understandable post. A small contradiction creeps in where the talk is of the Hercules Mk XIV (14), but where - if I interpret it correctly - the Mark XVI (16) is meant; or is it first about the Mk XIV and later an Mk XVI equipped Lancaster variant?
Yes, my mistake. Realised after posting. For some reason, I said Mk.14 whilst reading my script instead of 16. I'm so sorry about this, as I do try to get things right. If I took the video down and changed it, I would lose all of my views and comments. So I posted an explanation in the description and pinned the same in the Comments section. Please know that when I say Hercules 14, I should have said 16! Thank you so much for watching.
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 That doesn't change a bit in the high quality of your contributions. Thank you very much.
Quite interesting.
To convert Airfix's 1:72nd-scale kit of the Avro Lancaster RAF Bomber to a Lancaster Mk.II with Bristol's Hercules Mk.VI engines, could one substitute the cowlings (and if necessary, the na- celles) of Airfix's 1:72nd-scale kit of the Handley Page Halifax RAF Bomber?
I know of no mass market kits of both aircraft in 1:48th scale, or a newer mold of a 1:72nd-scale kit, leaving us just the Airfix kits as our sole recourse.
I must note that I have sentimental remembrances of these Airfix kits, as well as those of the Short Stirling and the Vickers Wellington RAF Bombers.
Airfix currently sell the Lancaster B Mk.II - kit number A08001. Thanks for watching
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 , thank you for your prompt response. The Airfix kit of the Lancaster that I recall had the Rolls Royce Merlin engines.
Safe to say that was good.
I don't subscribe to much.
To the angerment of my son.
But I will subscribe to this.
You have won a new fan.
👍👍👍👍
That's really great, thank you so much for subscribing. Remember, there are many more videos to come!
@@ukaircraftexplored6556
Looking forward to it UKae. !
👍
Interesting video. I understand that some Halivax B.VIs were fitted with Hercules 100s in 1945 which ended up with better altitude performance than the Lancaster 1... idle speculation wonders if the Lancaster B.II with that engine would have been better for the RAF!
Thanks for watching
The mark VI with Hercules 100 did not enter service until Feb 45.
Bryan,
I stood beside a Hercules engine in a museum, not sure which, having stood beside many a Merlin, the Hercules seemed huge. how did engine / aircraft weights compare?, nice video.
The weight was pretty much the same once you include all of the Merlin's cooling gear.
Hi Dave, The Dry Weight of the Bristol Hercules XVI was 1,890lb (857.2kg) and the Merlin XX was 1,430lb (648.6kg). I hope this helps and thank you for watching.
@@sampfordcourtenaycider6204 Thanks for info
@@ukaircraftexplored6556 always enjoy watching
I wonder which version had the best fuel efficiency and also engine volume .
I suppose the flak 88mm could reach them all with the same ease so no real advantage apart from bombing accuracy .
The lanc was such a beautiful piece of kit .
It certainly was, Thanks for watching!
this is indeed an anorak channel, good work, this also raises a question with me if they ever thought about adopting the Napier Sabre engine as a possible option for the Lancaster, let alone the RR Griffon... anyone out there know?
Thanks for watching