Customize - Urban Dictionary Store

Pro Customization

Create unique products with your own words and definitions

Preview

Personalize Your Design

Your Word

Your Definition

British WW2 heavy bomber designed by Roy Chadwick and built by Avro in the UK, as well as under license in Canada (Mk X). It evolved out of Chadwicks earlier design, the Avro Manchester, which was [universally] hated by all who were condemned to fly it, due to poor engine design. When Chadwick was able to get hold of 4 precious Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engines, he put them on the Manchester, lengthened the wings, and a legend was born.

The Lancaster was the mainstay of RAF Bomber Command from 1942 onwards, and was used for a variety of specialist tasks such as attacking the Ruhr Dams and sinking the Tirpitz. Its main role however, was in the great Area Raids which laid waste to many German cities by night whilst the Americans attacked by day.

It was the most effective bomb hauler in the Allies European Arsenal (the Boeing B-29 Superfortress could carry a larger bomb load, but was only employed in the Pacific against Japan towards the end of the War), and could carry almost twice the load of its US [counterparts] in Europe, these being the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers.

[Approximately] 7000 Lancasters were built, of which roughly 4000 were lost on [operational] service, i.e. shot down by enemy night-fighters, anti-aircraft fire, or crashes.

Although controversy still rages over the employment of the Lancaster during the Strategic Air [Offensive] against Germany (Lancasters were the only bombers used by the RAF for the Dresden Raid of 13/14 Feb 1945 for example), there is little dispute that it was one of [the greatest] aircraft designs of the Second World War.

Text fits

Menu

Pro Customization

Preview

Personalize Your Design

Shopping Assistant