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Avro LANCASTER MP
Avro Lancaster Mk 10SR modified for the Search & Rescue role. (CF Photo)
The Lancaster Mk X was the Canadian built version of the Avro Lancaster Mk I, built by Victory Aircraft at Malton, Ontario. Canadian production totaled 430 aircraft. The aircraft were structurally identical to their British brothers, with the exception of the engines, US built Packard Merlins, and avionics.
Many Canadian built Avro Lancaster Mk. X aircraft were kept on strength after the war and modified for various roles. Some of these roles included: Maritime Reconnaissance, Photography and Search and Rescue.
Canadian Lancaster sub-types were as follows:
- Lancaster Mk 10AR
- Arctic Reconnaissance version with a lengthened nose and additional radar and camera equipment.
- Lancaster Mk 10BR
- Bomber Reconnaissance duties
- Lancaster Mk 10DC
- Two aircraft were converted for drone-carrying trials with the Ryan Firebee drones.
- Lancaster Mk 10MR/MP
- Initially know as MR for maritime reconnaissance work, the designation was later changed to MP for maritime patrol duties.
- Lancaster Mk 10N
- These aircraft were converted to flying classrooms for trainee navigators.
- Lancaster Mk 10O
- A flying test-bed with two Orenda turbojets mounted in the outer engine nacelles.
- Lancaster Mk 10P
- Nine aircraft were modified for photographic reconnaissance mapping duties.
- Lancaster Mk 10S
- The designation 'standard' was allocated to Lancasters for museum or display purposes and also to aircraft held in storage which were used to supply spares for active aircraft.
- Lancaster Mk 10SR
- Eight aircraft were converted for air-sea rescue duties.
- Lancaster Mk 10U
- Aircraft held in storage which were unmodified for any specific role. Replacement aircraft could be drawn from this stock and converted as necessary.
- Lancaster Mk XPP
- Civilian designation allocated to the six aircraft for Trans Canada Airlines.
| Manufacturer: | Victory Aircraft (A.V. Roe Canada) |
| Crew/Passengers: | One pilot and up to 6 crew |
| Power Plant: | Four Packard Merlin 234 twelve-cylinder, Vee - type, liquid cooled, supercharged, rated at 1640 hp for takeoff |
| Performance: | Max Speed 287 mph at 11,500 ft. Cruising Speed 210 mph Initial rate of climb: 580 ft/min Time to 11,000 ft: 19.3 min; to 20,000 ft: 43.5 min Service Ceiling: 24,500 ft. Range 2,530 miles with 400 gallon auxiliary fuel tank in bomb bay |
| Weights: | Empty equipped weight: 41,000 lbs Normal loaded weights 53,000 lbs. Max. loaded weights 61,500 lbs |
| Dimensions: | Span: 102 ft, 0 in Length 68 ft, 11 in Height: 19 ft, 6 in Wing Area: 1,297 sq. ft. |
| Armament: | APS-33 search radar, Loran AN-APN-4, Rebecca, AN/IPD-501 Passive ECM equipment, high and low radar altimeters, and AN/ARD-3 sonobuoys, Frazer-Nash FN20 tail turret, and Frazer-Nash FN5 nose turret, with gun breeches removed. Mid-upper turret removed and faired over. Aerial torpedo, depth charges and/or marine markers carried in the bomb bay |
| Cost: | Unknown |
| Marks: | Mk 10 AP,AR,BR,DC, Mk 10 MP,MR,N, Mk 10 P,PR,S,SR |
| Role: | Anti-Submarine / Patrol / Photo |
