Lancaster MkII research request

[RustyItalian]

I'm searching for info on my Grandmother's uncle's Lancaster with a view to modelling it. It was shot down over Germany and he (Allan Frampton, RNZAF) was killed along with most of his crew. I have just received a copy of his logbook and will view his medals, hat etc soon.

Refer Loss of Lancaster Mk II LL640 (115 Squadron) for details.

Being a Mk II with Hercules engines this type was not that common, only 300 being made.

My questions refer to the external layout of the aircraft, of which I have no photos. Many Mk II had the bulged bomb bay doors for the 8000 lb bomb and the fourth turret on the underside just aft of the bomb bay. Can anyone confirm if this aircraft would have had them? Was the use of the doors based on serial range or fairly random?

Also I assume that it would have standard red codes?

Cheers

Richard

[Graeme]

Originally Posted by RustyItalian

Many Mk II had the bulged bomb bay doors for the 8000 lb bomb and the fourth turret on the underside just aft of the bomb bay.

Hi Richard. You've obviously done a lot of research in this area, as you raise interesting questions which I thought would be quickly answered on this forum. However I can appreciate your problem-there seems to be little information on the 'bulged' Mk II version, especially precise numbers built, serials and Squadrons involved. One source I have states "very few" Mk II versions with the 'bulged' bomb bay were built?

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that it was unlikely that LL640 was 'bulged', but have no evidence to back it.

Originally Posted by RustyItalian

Also I assume that it would have standard red codes?

Agreed. Here's DS626 of No.115 Squadron 1943...