Best Bomber of WW2 (continued)

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i'd also say the lanc was the best in europe overall as well, the lanc bombed by day more than most people think........

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I think the Liberator was better then a Lanc anyday, even though I do think the Lanc was a great aircraft and as RG said if she bombed at night then maybe she was the best LOL.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

how would you say the B-24 was better than the lanc??

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Sure the Lanc could carry more bomb load however the Liberator had better defensive armament and a longer range. But then again if you are going to Bomb at night what do you need the defensive armament for? Plus hey the Liberatior could be used as an inflight refueler!

[the lancaster kicks ass]

so could the lanc............

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Oh really that I did not know?

[the lancaster kicks ass]

yes and here's a picture of a picture to prove it (sorry no scanner)

This picture shows Glostor Meteor F.III EE397 being refueled (the first of it's type to make a "drogue-and-probe" refueling)on April 24th 1949 by the lancaster formally known as PB972

Source for the picture and information- "Avro Lancaster- The Definitive Record" by Harry Holmes

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Okay that I did not know but the Lancasters did not even start testing until 1944. The British were the first to play around with inflight refueling, however a B-24 was used as a refueler before the Lancaster in 1943.

The British Air Ministry, having supported development of in-flight refuelling first by RAE then by Flight Refuelling Limited before WW.2, retained its interest when war broke out. A study was made in 1939 using a Short Stirling bomber, but no tests were conducted; further proposals over the next couple of years were considered impracticable for large scale operations by Air Staff and interest waned.

Plans were under consideration for airborne attacks on Japan in 1943, but there were no Allied bases near enough to bring the plans to fruition. The Air Ministry decided that conversion of the versatile Avro Lancaster to a tanker would offer a solution, and in February 1944 was prepared to authorise 50 sets of equipment for training and development. The vision of a Very Long Range bomber force of 500 bombers and an equal number of tankers to equip Tiger Force, was never achieved. Two prototype tanker and receiver Lancasters (PB972 and ND64 flew by November, but official enthusiasm was lacking, and during 1945 Pacific bases for Allied air operations became available in increasing numbers.

Some conversions were made, including the fitting of more sophisticated navigational apparatus for operations over large stretches of water. The impending production of the Avro Lincoln bomber, and potential to operate bombers in a state of "overload" with extra fuel, also played a part in reducing British enthusiasm. All the same, orders were actually issued to prepare a large number of Lancasters to act as tankers for the new Lincolns. Limited trials continued at the Bomber Command Development Unit during 1945, with Lancaster tankers ND574 and ND843, and receivers ND793 and ND991.

Other options to increase the fuel capacities of the Lancasters were also pursued, including additional 400 gallon tanks in the bomb bay and removal of the top turret to save weight. Two Lancaster Is were also tested with 1,200 gallon saddle tanks faired into the cockpit and extending back over the upper turret position. The aircraft were flown to India for trials, and made an appearance in Australia, but the tests were disappointing and both aircraft were scrapped in November 1946.

The Americans were, meanwhile, gearing up in early 1942 for retaliatory raids on Tokyo after the attack on Pearl Harbour. When that objective was achieved by Lt.-Col. Doolittle using other methods, development still continued. A set of British Flight Refuelling Ltd. equipment was fitted to a B-17E tanker (41-2539) and B-24D receiver (40-2353) by Pennsylvania Central Airlines, with Flight Refuelling Ltd. assistance. Tests conducted in April 1943 were successful, and tentative plans contrived for a raid to depart the Aleutians for Tokyo, its B-17s being refuelled by B-24 tankers. The bombers would carry on to land in China. The time to train crews and the advent of the B-29 ended the scheme.

Germany also tested airborne refuelling, with a hose-equipped Heinkel He.111 tanker and various types as receivers. The Ju.290 was put forward as a suitable tanker for use with its reconnaissance equivalent, and trials were conducted in 1944. Germany was becoming progressively isolated from its fuel supplies, and the shortage of resources until the war's end saw that the scheme did not progress.
http://www.unrealaircraft.com/forever/ww2.php

[the lancaster kicks ass]

wow didn;t know that either, but the lanc could still do it...........

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Yes it could, which is something that I did not know.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

so we have both learned something..........

and yes i'm struggling badly to think of stuff to say.............

[MP-Willow]

Hi all this little bit about the B-24 and the Lancaster is great! I would say the two were able to do anything that they were asked of They both were great for the bombing, supplys, and even troops. The B-24 did have the edge in range, arms and the Costal and Convoy work. I just wish they would have been used sooner.

As for the B-29, it was great, but the B-24 and the never say die Marienes got the island bases that the B-29 needed! If it was ready and needed the B-29 could have been used and I think would have been, in Europe

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The B-29 was built for a different kind of bombing in mind. It was built to fly higher then anything that could intercept it and it was built to fly at high speeds and carry a high bomb load. It is hard to compare a B-29 to a Lanc, B-17 or B-24. I do agree with you though that the Marines got the bases for the B-29.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

The B-24 did have the edge in range, arms and the Costal and Convoy work

hey lancs were used extensively in coastal command, admitidly post-war but they still were used, the only reason they weren't used during the war was because bomber command was getting all the lancs for obvious reasons............

I believe some Lanc's were used for ASW operations.

=S=

Lunatic