Thursday, January 9, 1941 - Maiden Flight of Lancaster bomber

[Louis]

Roy Chadwick the chief designer at Avro had designed the two engined Manchester bomber to a Air Ministry specification. It was not a success and there were particular problems with the powerful Rolls Royce Vulture engines, which were unreliable. Chadwick independently started to develop the design of the airframe to accommodate four of the tried and tested Rolls Royce Merlin engines.
From this process the Lancaster bomber emerged, destined to become the principal aircraft of Bomber Command and one of the most famous aircraft ever built.


The Avro Lancaster first flew on 9th January 1941, it would not enter service for another year.

 

[Louis]

The 'City of Lincoln" Lancaster bomber which is still flying today.



Is one of only two Lancasters in flying condition in the world, the other being owned and flown by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum