Avro Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster was the Royal Air Force’s main four-engine bomber in World War II. Itssuperb design, overall performance, and load-carrying capacity proved key factors in successfully prosecuting the nocturnal bombing offensive against Hitler’s industrial and military base. With its ability to carry up to 16,000 pounds in explosives and incendiaries, specialist Lancasters could also deliver the 12,000-pound Tallboy and 22,000-pound Grand Slam bombs, which took out key targets. The Lancaster was also featured in the classic 1955 British filmThe Dam Busters, the story of the famed May 1943 low-level bombing raid in Germany’s Ruhr River valley. By the end of the war, upward of sixty squadrons operated the Lancaster, demonstrating clear proof of its preeminent presence within the RAF’s offensive. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.[AuthorName]By Ron Mackay[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]Ron Mackays literary career in WWII aviation history has spanned four decades, with coverage of the Royal Air Force, Luftwaffe, and USAAF being completed in almost equal measure.[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]193 color and b/w photos[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle]RAF Bomber Commands Heavy Bomber in World WarII[/SubTitle][ColorPattern]193 color and b/w photos[/ColorPattern]