During the Second World War, RAF Lancaster bombers took the conflict into the very heart of Hitler's Third Reich, and flew some of the most daring operations of the war. Surprisingly, of the 7,377 Lancasters built, only two survive today, one in Britain and one in Canada. Produced with the full cooperation of the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and illustrated with incredible photographs, Avro Lancaster gives a rare and fascinating insight into how the Lancaster bomber was constructed, flown and operated, together with details of how it is serviced and maintained.

Comprehensively illustrated throughout with a stunning collection of black and white and colour photographs, presented in a large, landscape format, this book follows our highly successful Avro Vulcan title. It will be entertaining reading not only for aviation enthusiasts, but for all who know the legend of the Lancaster bomber in Britain's wartime history.

The Avro Lancaster was a four-engine heavy bomber used by the RAF in 1942 and, together with the Handley Page Halifax, was the main strategic bomber of the RAF and other air forces of the Commonwealth countries. It was mainly used as a night bomber. Around 7,378 were realized Lancaster (excluding prototypes), 430 of them in Canada and they were lost in action 3,932. The Handley Page Halifax was a major British four-engined heavy bombers, remaining in service until the end of the conflict, with numerous tasks in addition to bombing. Halifax's career began in November 1940 and continued until the end of the war. These four engine, however, continued to operate, albeit in minor roles, until 1954-56. In practice, however, the Lancaster showed better performance and as soon as it was available in sufficient numbers, he replaced the Halifax. The Short S.29 Stirling was a British heavy bomber, the first in its class. Along with Lancaster and the Halifax constitute the three main bombers used by Britain in World War II with capacity of bombs from 6,000 kg to 10,000 kg Bomb Grand Slam, one of the heaviest bombs ever built.

The Avro Lancaster was the Royal Air Force's main four-engine bomber in World War II. Its superb 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 that took out key targets. The Lancaster was also featured in the classic 1955 British film The 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.

The Avro Lancaster was unquestionably the finest all-around performer within RAF Bomber Command during the air war against Nazi Germany between 1942 and 1945. The Lancaster flew no fewer than 156,000 individual sorties and dropped more than 600,000 tons of explosives and incendiaries, playing a leading role in bringing Hitler's Reich to its knees. Known for its greenhouse cockpit, turret nose, twin tail, and 33-foot long bomb bay the Lancaster took part in Air Marshall Harris's 'Operation Gomorrah' in July 1943, in which Germany's industrial center of Hamburg was devastated by round-the-clock bombing raids. In the thick of the air war, the Lancasters also paid a high price - 3,249 were lost in action. This volume is enhanced by the fact that the author's uncle survived 36 operations as a bomb aimer aboard a Lancaster of No 49 Squadron. Illustrated with 200 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings.

The most famous British bomber of World War II, the Avro Lancaster flew on many famous raids--the "Dambusters" Raid, the daylight raid on Augsburg, and the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz. The Lancaster Manual is reprinted from the official manuals originally produced by the Air Ministry for the personnel who actually flew and maintained the aircraft. Includes technical details, instructions for ground crews, handling and flying notes, electrical and radio equipment, airframe design, and armament. A uniquely authoritative reference source on the Lancaster Marks I and III.