Avro Lancaster

56 pp. This is the workhorse of the RAF night campaign against Germany. Successor to ill-fated Manchester, it was like other British heavies in having one very large bomb bay, enclosed by two doors. This allowed a wide variety of loads: 250, 500, 1000, 4000, 8000 lb, all the way up to 22,000 lb 'Grand Slam' bomb (not to forget the Dam-buster bombs). Even the B-29 Superfortress used two separate bays. (See bay sideviews on p.23) Lancs were equipped with either four superb RR Merlin, or Bristol Hercules engines. It carried great loads, was economical and loved by its crews.