Lanc, “Still Going Strong”

[wschurr]

Did this a/c always have modified bomb bay doors? Can I build one without the modification? Wanna build my Border as this kite, Mike Squared or “S” w/44 at Waddo. Last choice would be one from 97 at Coningsby. Decal selection in 32 suck.

[PatG]

I think you perhaps need to settle on a specific aircraft (serial number) so that the 'experts' can then focus on it to provide you with the info you are after.

 

Pat.

[Work In Progress]

"Still Going Strong" was W4964 / WS-J of 9 Squadron, until those markings were applied to PA474 in 1994. Parts of it are visible today at Newark. 

Early production, delivered April 1943 so I very much doubt it had a bulged bomb bay back then, as that was fitted for Tallboy operations later on. It was retired in December 1944 to become instructional airframe 4922M.

 

See https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/avro-lancaster-b-mk-i-w4964-ws-j-johnnie-walker-no-9-sqn-raf-hkm-1-48.60528/

Edited September 18 by Work In Progress

[SafetyDad]

From the Wingleader Photo Archive 5 - Avro Lancaster Early Production Batches 1941-43.

 

5th Production batch W4761 - W5012. 

As delivered:

• Trailing aerial fairing now under the port wing leading edge
• Fairings for windscreen de-icers introduced with this batch
• As @Work In Progress says above, originally with standard bomb bay doors
• Interior framing of turrets in aluminium finish, not yet painted black
• 'Needle' bladed props
• Port side cabin blister (Starboard side not visible in pics I have but likely present based on pics of other airframes in this batch)
• Fuselage windows present
• Probably original tailwheel - antishimmy grooved wheel not introduced until Mid-1943
• Wheelhubs in black, rather than aluminium
• IFF aerial mounted on fuselage underside under rear door
• No TR9 radio aerial fitting under portside canopy 
• Original shallow bomb aimers blister

 

With a Lancaster of this length of operational experience, it's inevitable that changes would have been made throughout her life so it's possibly prudent to select a time in her service and model accordingly. Props, aerials and fittings could easily be updated and changed.

 

HTH

 

SD

[stever219]

Images on line of the preserved fuselage sections at Newark show the window apertures still present, so it appears that W4964 didn't get at least some of the mods that were applied to R5868.  There's also an in-service image of '964 with her crew dated 6th January 1944 that clearly shows the windows but, for me, the jury's out on whether she already had the Tallboy bomb doors by then.  More trawling required.

[Work In Progress]

23 minutes ago, stever219 said:

dated 6th January 1944 that clearly shows the windows but, for me, the jury's out on whether she already had the Tallboy bomb doors by then. 

Extremely unlikely. The Tallboy was nowhere near service in Jan 44, the first use was not until June at Saumur, and 617 Squadron was the exclusive user all through the summer and early autumn. 9 Squadron didn't drop one until the Sorpe raid in October

Edited September 19 by Work In Progress