Avro Lancaster Mk I Bomber 'G for George' : 460 Squadron, RAAF Accession Number: RELAWM31788

Description

Four engined heavy bomber. This example, serial number W4783, was originally powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin XX 12 cylinder liquid-cooled engines, with a single stage centrifugal supercharger, but was later fitted with Merlin 22 engines while in Australia. The airframe is constructed primarily of aluminium alloy. The aircraft breaks down into a number of major sub-assemblies for ease of construction and transport. Steel tube and forgings are used for the installation of the engines, undercarriage and some smaller fittings. The aircraft normally carried a crew of seven: Pilot, Navigator, Wireless Operator, Bomb Aimer, Flight Engineer, Mid-Upper Gunner and Rear Gunner. When first constructed W4783 was fitted with a mid-under defensive gun position, which would have required an eighth crewman. There is no evidence that this position was retained when the aircraft entered operational service. A timber blanking panel was fitted in the mounting equipped with a flare shoot. This aircraft was never fitted with H2S radar. The bomb load varied depending on the type and duration of the operation but a common load was 14000 pounds (6350 kgs of bombs or incendiaries). Defensive armament consists of eight guns installed in three turrets; two in the forward turret, two in the mid-upper turret and four in the rear turret. The cruising speed was 200mph (322km/h) and maximum speed was 287mph (467km/h).

Contextual Description

The Avro Lancaster was the most important aircraft used in RAF Bomber Command's bombing campaign on Germany, Italy and the occupied countries. Production by various manufacturers totalled 7,377 aircraft. Contracted average cost per aircraft was 58,974 pounds, to include airframe, engines, propellers and flight systems, but excluding Government bought-out equipment.

This particular Lancaster, number W4783, was ordered in 1940 with a batch of 400 Lancaster B. Mk I and Mk III aircraft under Contract No B69275/40. (See Page 368 Avro Aircraft since 1908 by A L Jackson). It was delivered to 460 Squadron RAAF on 27 October 1942 and assigned the call sign 'G' for George. 460 Squadron was at that stage re-equipping with Lancasters, after trialling Halifax aircraft between August and October 1942. 460 Squadron's base was Breighton, Yorkshire until 14 May 1943, then Binbrook airfield, Lincolnshire.

While in service with the squadron, it flew some 89 completed sorties with 27 crews. The main crews were captained by Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) J A Saint-Smith (13 operations), Flt Sgt J Murray (13 operations), Flying Officer Henderson (10 operations), and Pilot Officer H Carter (21 operations).

The aircraft's longest operation lasted 10:09 flying hours, to La Spezia, Italy on 13 April 1943, with a bomb load of 5 x 1000lb, 180 x 4lb incendiaries, 16 x 30lb incendiaries carried. Its last operation was a raid on Cologne, Germany on 20 April 1944. When G for George retired from service after this raid it had completed more operations than almost any other aircraft in RAF Bomber Command.

In June 1944 the Department of Air made it available for war museum purposes. A letter from RAAF Overseas Headquarters, London dated 24/11/1943 to 460 Squadron Commanding Officer shows that the search for such an aircraft had commenced the previous year: "Information is sought regarding the identification and whereabouts of Lancasters which have seen long and meritorious." AWM File 748/004/012.

After an extensive overhaul it left for Australia on 11 October 1944, flown by an all-Australian crew captained by Flight Lieutenant E A Hudson, DFC and Bar. It arrived in Brisbane, Queensland on 8 November 1944 and the following day was received by 3 Aircraft Depot, Amberley where it was given RAAF registration number A66-2. In 1945 the aircraft toured the eastern states of Australia in connection with the Third Victory Loan until finally declared surplus and transferred to the Australian War Memorial.