Lancaster photo query

Those dates would be about right for LM720. She was delivered to 61 Squadron on the 1st September 44, flew her first operation on 10th September 44 and crashed in Norfolk on 15th January 45.
Thanks for the second photo Posart that looks like an “O” to me too. Any idea what the nose art is ? It seems to resemble a small dog or rabbit pointing at the cockpit. Was it a cartoon character around at that time. Sorry for all the questions but if you dont ask you will never know:D
Thanks

Andy

I’m attaching a close up of the aircraft’s code letter, looks like an ‘O’ to me.

I seem to remember reading that the ‘Z’ equipment was to identify the aircraft as friendly to the AGLT ‘Village Inn’ rear turrets that were introduced in the summer/autumn of 44. I might be wrong though!

Mark Postlethwaite GAvA

www.posart.com

My first impression of this shot was to say “it’s a ‘D'”…

Note the differing radii of the lower corners of the letter – those radii would be nearly identical on the letter ‘O’ – even accepting distortion caused by the lateral reinforcing strip.

Not sure whether she was repaired and flew again, but attached is a page from ‘Lancater’ by Garbett & Goulding which illustrated QR-O (LM360) after a prang in ’43.

JJ

oooh goody, another “let’s discuss the visual differences in Lancs” thread!

If posart’s second shot with the yellow outlined code letter isn’t enough proof that it’s a 1944 or later photo, then this one, also said to be LM720, should do it. It’s been slightly enhanced by me to pick out the window dispenser chute, which was also introduced from mid 1944 onwards.

next! 😀

I’m attaching a close up of the aircraft’s code letter, looks like an ‘O’ to me.

I seem to remember reading that the ‘Z’ equipment was to identify the aircraft as friendly to the AGLT ‘Village Inn’ rear turrets that were introduced in the summer/autumn of 44. I might be wrong though!

Mark Postlethwaite GAvA

www.posart.com

Thanks Cees & Eddie.

When was Z equipment first fitted to operational aircraft ?

Andy

We have a Merlin 28 (Packard) which was recovered from the wreck of 83 Squadron Lancaster ED603. It was fitted with needle type propellers. It crashed in june 1943.

HTH

Cheers

Cees

Hi Andy – the “Z” equipment is the two little circular devices fitted to the bomb aimer’s blister above the optically flat panel. As I recall, it was an infra-red lamp to serve as an IFF system for bombers in the stream.

Thanks for the reply Mark.

I am almost certain that LM720 was QR-D as combat reports from the P.R.O. have her as “D”. I say almost as in the O.R.B. she is sometimes recorded as LM920 which was never a Lancaster serial number. Is it possible that the “O” in your photo is a “D” ?

Thanks

Andy

P.S. What is the Z equipment ?

The Lancaster in the photo is definitely QR-O as we have a further photo in the library taken a few yards further back. Closer examination shows the ‘Z’ equipment rings in the bomb aimer’s blister which would date it after R5856 had crashed. The serial number is not legible in the print so we can’t 100% prove it is LM720 although the original photo was captioned as such. What we can definitely say is that the Lanc is not R5856.

Mark Postlethwaite GAvA
Founder
www.ww2images.com

PS. No problem with posting our web images here, we always appreciate further information on any of the photos we have.

Hi Eddie

The picture I have is from WWII Images.com and is on their records as LM720 QR-O but I know from combat reports at the Public records office that LM720 was QR-D. It is possible that on a poor quality picture that the “D” looks like an “O” or is it more likely that Derek Brammers book has the correct identity ? I would like to know one way or the other as I have been researching LM720 for some time and thought that I had got a picture of it but now after seeing the same picture in Derek’s book as R5856 i’m not so sure. The photo below is from WWII images.com.

Hi Andy – it’s not possible to tell the mark of Lancaster by the type of props on it. Both DH “needle blade” props and Hamilton Standard “paddle blade” props were fitted to both B.I and B.III Lancs. As far as I recall there are no external differences that specifically identify an aircraft as a B.I or B.III, as variations in Lancasters were generally a reflection of when and where the aircraft was built, rather than the engines that were fitted. This gets even more complex, as aircraft originally built with needle blade props were often fitted with HS props later – see R5868 at Hendon.

I don’t think there would be any copyright issue with posting a photo of that era.

Ed