Difference between revisions of "Lancaster B Mk I"
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{{Specs-Card|code=lancaster_mk1}} | {{Specs-Card|code=lancaster_mk1}} | ||
| + | {{About | ||
| + | | about = British heavy bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}''' | ||
| + | | usage = other version | ||
| + | | link = Lancaster B Mk III | ||
| + | }} | ||
{{Notice|''This page is about the aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''. For the other Lancaster, see [[Lancaster B Mk III]]''}} | {{Notice|''This page is about the aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''. For the other Lancaster, see [[Lancaster B Mk III]]''}} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| Line 6: | Line 11: | ||
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left|The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' in the garage]] | [[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left|The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' in the garage]] | ||
{{break}} | {{break}} | ||
| − | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British bomber {{Battle-rating}}. This aircraft was introduced in [[Update 1.43]]. |
The Avro Lancaster B Mk. I is a long-range heavy bomber optimised for destroying stationary targets like pillboxes, bases, and airfields with bombs from high altitude. | The Avro Lancaster B Mk. I is a long-range heavy bomber optimised for destroying stationary targets like pillboxes, bases, and airfields with bombs from high altitude. | ||
| Line 128: | Line 133: | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and armour === | ||
<!--''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''--> | <!--''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''--> | ||
| − | * 8 mm Steel plate on each pilot's | + | * 8 mm Steel plate on each pilot's headrest. |
* 6.35 mm Steel plate behind each engine. | * 6.35 mm Steel plate behind each engine. | ||
* No armour glazing | * No armour glazing | ||
| Line 169: | Line 174: | ||
== Usage in the battles == | == Usage in the battles == | ||
| − | <!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->The Lancaster carries the heaviest | + | <!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->The Lancaster carries the heaviest bomb load of any bomber before the American Boeing B-29 Superfortress, at a fantastic 14,000 lb (6,363 kg), and the heaviest of any British bomber in the game. It can quickly end games if left to go about its business. The Lancaster also has relatively good performance and agility for a four-engined heavy bomber, significantly better than both the American B-17 and B-24 bombers. |
| − | Unfortunately, the Lancaster is extremely vulnerable if intercepted by enemy fighters. Its defensive armament consists only of .303 in Browning machine guns; while they have a high rate-of-fire, they are not very lethal to enemy fighters outside of a lucky fire set by the incendiary bullets. In addition, the Lancaster has no ventral turret covering attacks from below due to the H2S radar (a useless feature in the game). The aircraft itself is not very durable as well | + | Unfortunately, the Lancaster is extremely vulnerable if intercepted by enemy fighters. Its defensive armament consists only of .303 in Browning machine guns; while they have a high rate-of-fire, they are not very lethal to enemy fighters outside of a lucky fire set by the incendiary bullets. In addition, the Lancaster has no ventral turret covering attacks from below due to the H2S radar (a useless feature in the game). The aircraft itself is not very durable as well and is extremely vulnerable to 20 mm and larger cannon. |
===Manual Engine Control=== | ===Manual Engine Control=== | ||
| Line 230: | Line 235: | ||
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
| − | * Massive bombload | + | * Massive bombload |
| − | * Powerful Merlin engines providing good performance | + | * Powerful Merlin engines providing good performance |
| − | * Excellent handling and | + | * Excellent handling and manoeuvrability |
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
| − | * Very low durability | + | * Very low durability |
| − | * Pathetic defensive armament | + | * Pathetic defensive armament |
| − | * Easily damaged elevators and tail controls | + | * Easily damaged elevators and tail controls |
== History == | == History == | ||
| − | + | Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article. | |
| + | |||
| + | === In-game description === | ||
| + | |||
With RAF Bomber Command’s focus being centred on the strategic bombing campaign against German industry, the RAF desperately required a force of heavy bombers to increase the capability provided by their medium bomber fleet. A twin engine Avro Manchester bomber was converted to be powered by four engines and first flown in January 1941. This and subsequent prototypes were deemed to be so successful that the first production variant of the new bomber, now named the Lancaster, was flown in October 1941. | With RAF Bomber Command’s focus being centred on the strategic bombing campaign against German industry, the RAF desperately required a force of heavy bombers to increase the capability provided by their medium bomber fleet. A twin engine Avro Manchester bomber was converted to be powered by four engines and first flown in January 1941. This and subsequent prototypes were deemed to be so successful that the first production variant of the new bomber, now named the Lancaster, was flown in October 1941. | ||
Revision as of 18:02, 21 May 2019
Contents
| This page is about the British heavy bomber Lancaster B Mk I. For other version, see Lancaster B Mk III. |
|
This page is about the aircraft Lancaster B Mk I. For the other Lancaster, see Lancaster B Mk III |
Description
The Lancaster B Mk I is a rank IV British bomber
with a battle rating of 5.0 (AB), 5.3 (RB), and 5.7 (SB). This aircraft was introduced in Update 1.43.
The Avro Lancaster B Mk. I is a long-range heavy bomber optimised for destroying stationary targets like pillboxes, bases, and airfields with bombs from high altitude.
General info
Flight Performance
| Characteristics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | |||||||
| Max Speed (km/h at 3,048 m) |
Max altitude (meters) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
| 422 | 414 | 7800 | 43.9 | 44.3 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 750 |
| Upgraded | |||||||
| Max Speed (km/h at 3,048 m) |
Max altitude (meters) | Turn time (seconds) | Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
| 480 | 451 | 7800 | 40.3 | 42.0 | 16.8 | 8.6 | 750 |
Details
| Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flap | Take-off flap | Landing flap | Air brakes | Arrestor gear |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| Limits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wing-break speed (km/h) |
Gear limit (km/h) |
Combat flap (km/h) |
Max Static G | |
| + | - | |||
| 0 | 338 | ??? | ~1 | ~1 |
| Optimal velocities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons (km/h) |
Rudder (km/h) |
Elevators (km/h) |
Radiator (km/h) |
| < 250 | < 250 | < 250 | > 270 |
| Compressor (RB/SB) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Setting 1 | ||
| Optimal altitude | 100% Engine power | WEP Engine power |
| 1,900 m | 4,500 hp | 3,690 hp |
| Setting 2 | ||
| Optimal altitude | 100% Engine power | WEP Engine power |
| 4,000 m | 4,520 hp | 6,418 hp |
Survivability and armour
- 8 mm Steel plate on each pilot's headrest.
- 6.35 mm Steel plate behind each engine.
- No armour glazing
- Critical components located in the wings of aircraft (fuel, engine, controls)
Armaments
Suspended armament
The Lancaster B Mk I can be outfitted with the following ordinance"
- 14 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs
- 6 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs + 8 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs
- 14 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs
- 6 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bombs + 2 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs + 1 x G.P. 1000 lb Mk.I bomb
- 3 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs + 6 x G.P. 1000 lb Mk.I bombs
- 14 x M.C. 1000 lb Mk.I bombs
- 1 x H.C. 4000 lb Mk.II bomb + 6 x M.C. 1000 lb Mk.I bombs + 2 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bombs
- 2 x H.C. 4000 lb Mk.II bombs
Defensive armament
The Lancaster B Mk I is defended by:
- 2 x 7.7 mm Browning machine gun, nose turret (1,000 RPG = 2,000 total)
- 2 x 7.7 mm Browning machine gun, dorsal turret (1,000 RPG = 2,000 total)
- 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine gun, tail turret (2,500 RPG = 10,000 total)
Usage in the battles
The Lancaster carries the heaviest bomb load of any bomber before the American Boeing B-29 Superfortress, at a fantastic 14,000 lb (6,363 kg), and the heaviest of any British bomber in the game. It can quickly end games if left to go about its business. The Lancaster also has relatively good performance and agility for a four-engined heavy bomber, significantly better than both the American B-17 and B-24 bombers.
Unfortunately, the Lancaster is extremely vulnerable if intercepted by enemy fighters. Its defensive armament consists only of .303 in Browning machine guns; while they have a high rate-of-fire, they are not very lethal to enemy fighters outside of a lucky fire set by the incendiary bullets. In addition, the Lancaster has no ventral turret covering attacks from below due to the H2S radar (a useless feature in the game). The aircraft itself is not very durable as well and is extremely vulnerable to 20 mm and larger cannon.
Manual Engine Control
| MEC elements | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixer | Pitch | Radiator | Supercharger | Turbocharger | ||
| Oil | Water | Type | ||||
| Not controllable | Controllable | Not controllable | Controllable | Combined | Controllable | Controllable |
Modules
| Tier | Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Fuselage Repair | Radiator | |||
| II | Compressor | Airframe | |||
| III | Wings Repair | Engine | |||
| IV | Engine Injection | Cover | |||
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Massive bombload
- Powerful Merlin engines providing good performance
- Excellent handling and manoeuvrability
Cons:
- Very low durability
- Pathetic defensive armament
- Easily damaged elevators and tail controls
History
Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.
In-game description
With RAF Bomber Command’s focus being centred on the strategic bombing campaign against German industry, the RAF desperately required a force of heavy bombers to increase the capability provided by their medium bomber fleet. A twin engine Avro Manchester bomber was converted to be powered by four engines and first flown in January 1941. This and subsequent prototypes were deemed to be so successful that the first production variant of the new bomber, now named the Lancaster, was flown in October 1941.
Powered by four Rolls Royce Merlin XX engines rated at 1280 hp, (later upgraded to Merlin 22 or 24s) the Lancaster B.I was capable of reaching speeds of up to 275 mph. With a standard fuel load it could carry 10,000 lbs of bombs over 1000 miles. The maximum ordinance capacity of the Lancaster was one of the highest of any heavy bomber in World War II: 14,000 lb (6,356 kg). Besides standard bombs, the aircraft could carry an 8,000 lb (3,632 kg) “blockbuster” or two 4,000 lb (1,816 kg) high-explosive “cookie” bombs. Special modifications of the bomber could carry even larger bombs, such as the 22,000 lb ‘Grand Slam’ bomb. For defence, the Lancaster had eight 0.303 inch Colt-Browning Mk.II machine guns located in three turrets: two guns were located in the nose, two in the dorsal turret, and four in the tail turret. This defensive armament was considerably lighter than that of the Lancaster’s US counterparts; it relied on darkness for protection rather than firepower. However, even though on paper the Lancaster was an impressive strategic asset, it still had its weaknesses: whereas the Halifax and Stirling could both claim a crew survival rate of 25% in the event of destruction, the Lancaster could only claim a survival rate of 15% for its crews. 58% of all RAF Lancasters were destroyed in combat; a higher loss percentage than any other British aircraft during the entire war.
The Lancaster was first used operationally in March 1942 by No. 44 Squadron. It soon became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command’s offensive against the heart of Germany, but was also used against targets all across occupied Europe. The majority of Lancaster operations took place at night due to RAF Bomber Command’s policy of night bombing whilst the bombers of the United States Army Air Force tackled targets by day. The Lancaster became legendary on the night of May 17th 1943 when bombers of No 617 Squadron breached the Mohne and Eder dams in Germany with Barnes Wallis’ genius ‘bouncing bomb’. Lancasters of Nos 9 and 617 Squadrons also sank the German battleship ‘Tirpitz’ with 12,000 lb ‘Tallboy’ bombs, also designed by Wallis.
Over 3400 Lancaster B.Is were manufactured between November 1941 and March 1946, making it the most numerous of the Avro Lancaster variants. In addition to RAF operations, the Lancaster was also used by the RAAF and RCAF.
Media
An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.
Read also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,
- reference to the series of the aircraft;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
Sources
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- page on aircraft encyclopedia;
- other literature.
| Britain bombers | |
|---|---|
| Torpedo | Swordfish Mk I · Swordfish Mk II · ▄Avenger Mk II |
| Dive | V-156-B1 |
| Hydroplanes | ▄Catalina Mk IIIa · Sunderland Mk IIIa · Sunderland Mk V |
| Light | Blenheim Mk IV · Beaufort Mk VIII · ▄Hudson Mk V · Brigand B 1 |
| Based on A20 | ▄Havoc Mk I · ▄Boston Mk I · ▄DB-7 |
| Hampden | Hampden Mk I · Hampden TB Mk I |
| Wellington | Wellington Mk Ic · Wellington Mk Ic/L · Wellington Mk III · Wellington Mk X |
| Halifax | Halifax B Mk IIIa |
| Stirling | Stirling B Mk I · Stirling B Mk III |
| Lancaster | Lancaster B Mk I · Lancaster B Mk III |
| Lincoln | Lincoln B Mk II |
| Shackleton | Shackleton MR.Mk.2 |
