F L I G H T C R E W
WA Lanc
Taken on a recent trip to the RAAF WA, Heritage Museum 11-11-11. Bull Creek Western Australia.
I was lucky to get a walk through inside.
BEST VIEWED ALL SIZES
(If you are not using the 'View All Sizes' function for the images you really like then you are missing out.) Go to actions and click on then scroll down.
The model in the possession of the Museum is a Mk VII, serial no NX 622, currently on display in WWII squadron colours. This aircraft was manufactured in May 1945 and did not see active service in WWII, flying with the RAF for only 7 hours before being converted in 1951 to a maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the French Navy.
According to John Baker, the museum's Lancaster was built by the Austin Motor Company, the only company other than Avro that built Lancasters. Some details are on the Austin Memories website.
The Mark VII, of which the Museum's aircraft is an example, was the final production version, with the dorsal turret moved slightly forward, and the tail turret's four 0.303 inch machine guns replaced by two of 0.5 inch calibre. This mark was designed to be more suitable for operation in the tropics, as part of "Tiger Force", the British contribution to the invasion of Japan (and so never being required).
WA Lanc
Taken on a recent trip to the RAAF WA, Heritage Museum 11-11-11. Bull Creek Western Australia.
I was lucky to get a walk through inside.
BEST VIEWED ALL SIZES
(If you are not using the 'View All Sizes' function for the images you really like then you are missing out.) Go to actions and click on then scroll down.
The model in the possession of the Museum is a Mk VII, serial no NX 622, currently on display in WWII squadron colours. This aircraft was manufactured in May 1945 and did not see active service in WWII, flying with the RAF for only 7 hours before being converted in 1951 to a maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the French Navy.
According to John Baker, the museum's Lancaster was built by the Austin Motor Company, the only company other than Avro that built Lancasters. Some details are on the Austin Memories website.
The Mark VII, of which the Museum's aircraft is an example, was the final production version, with the dorsal turret moved slightly forward, and the tail turret's four 0.303 inch machine guns replaced by two of 0.5 inch calibre. This mark was designed to be more suitable for operation in the tropics, as part of "Tiger Force", the British contribution to the invasion of Japan (and so never being required).