Avro Lancaster

Dambuster version

We are currently working on a 3d model of a Dambuster Avro Lancaster Mk III, known as B Mark III Special (Type 464 Provisioning). Much of the armour was removed to reduce weight, as was the mid-upper turret. The size and shape of the bomb led to the bomb doors being removed and the bomb itself hung, in part, below the body of the aircraft. It was mounted in two crutches and before dropping, it was spun up to speed by an auxiliary motor.

Operation Chastise was the official name for the attacks on German dams on 17 May 1943 in World War II using a specially developed "Bouncing Bomb". The attack was carried out by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron, subsequently known as the Dambusters.

Where to see...

Lancaster Bombers

There are less than 20 Avro Lancasters remaining in the world with only four of them actually seeing operational service in the Bomber Command campaign over Europe.

• Imperial War Museum Duxford UK
• Royal Airforce Force Museum UK
• Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby UK
• The Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
• Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum Canada
• Greenwood Military Aviation Museum, Canada
• Edmundston Airport, Canada
• Canada Aviation Museum
• Toronto Aerospace Museum, Canada
• The Aero Space Museum, Calgary, Canada
• Windsor Airport, Ontario, Canada
• Australian War Memorial, Canberra
• RAAF Association Museum Australia
• MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
• Fantasy of Flight Museum [stored], Florida, USA

Surviving Bouncing Bombs

All combat Upkeep bombs were disposed of at the end of hostilities. However, concrete-filled bombs used in test and training drops at Reculver, Kent have been recovered and are displayed at various sites:

• Dover Castle
• Imperial War Museum Duxford
• Brookland's Museum in Weybridge
• Herne Bay Museum and Gallery
• Brenzett Aeronautical Museum near Romney Marsh
• Spitfire & Hurricane Museum at RAF Manston, Kent
• Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby
• Haverfordwest Aerodrome displays a section of a Highball bomb
• Abbotsbury Swannery displays a section of a Highball bomb
• RAF Lossiemouth - only accessible to the public with prior permission
• The Petwood Hotel museum, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, displays a damaged Upkeep bomb
  

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