Avro Lincoln

Lincoln
The only Canadian built Avro Lincoln
Role Heavy bomber
Manufacturer A V Roe (168), Metropolitan-Vickers (80) and Armstrong Whitworth (281)
First flight 9 June 1944[1]
Introduction 1945
Retired 1963 Royal Air Force
1967 Argentine Air Force
Status Retired
Primary users Royal Air Force
Argentine Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
Number built 604[1]
Developed from Avro Lancaster
Developed into Avro Shackleton
Avro Tudor

The Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were initially known as the Lancaster IV and V, these were subsequently renamed Lincoln I and II. It holds the distinction of being the last piston-engined bomber operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The Lincoln attained operational status in August 1945. It had been initially assigned to units of the Tiger Force, a Commonwealth heavy bomber force, which had been intended to play a role in the closing stages of the Second World War by participating in Allied operations against the Japanese mainland; however, the war came to an end prior to the Lincoln ever being used in combat. Production of the type proceeded and the type was adopted in quantity, allowing it to complement and progressively replace the preceding Lancaster in RAF service during the late 1940s.

The Lincoln was deployed in active combat roles during the 1950s. RAF squadrons equipped with the type were used as part of Britain's action against guerrilla fighters during the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya; both the RAF and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated the Lincoln during the Malayan Emergency. In addition to its wartime use, the type also saw significant service with the RAAF and the Argentine Air Force (Spanish: Fuerza Aérea Argentina). Individual Lincolns also saw some use within civil aviation circles, often being operated as aerial test beds for aero-engine research.

In RAF service, the Lincoln was ultimately replaced by a new generation of bombers harnessing newly developed jet propulsion. Chief amongst these was the English Electric Canberra, which was also adopted by a wide range of operators across the world including the RAAF and Argentine Air Force. During course of the 1950s, the RAF also adopted a total of three advanced jet-powered strategic bombers to carry Britain's newly acquired nuclear deterrent – collectively known as the V Force – the Vickers Valiant, Handley Page Victor and the Avro Vulcan. In 1967, the last Lincoln bombers in Argentinian service were retired.

Design and development

Origins

During early 1945, the British Government immediately set about restoring the country to a peacetime stance, which involved the demobilisation of the military and, more specifically, the disbanding of many squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a part of cost-saving measures.[2] A new emphasis was soon placed on 'quality over quantity' during the rationalisation process, seeking to employ fewer but more capable aircraft to perform their envisioned roles; while there was no longer any urgency in bringing new types of aircraft into service, limited procurement of equipment that fell within this ethos did proceed.[2] In accordance with this aim, the British Air Ministry proceeded to formulate and release Specification B.14/43, which sought an improved piston-engined heavy bomber to replace the wartime four-engine bombers, such as the Short Stirling, the Handley Page Halifax, and the Avro Lancaster.[2]

The Avro Lincoln originated from a design produced by Roy Chadwick as a development of the earlier Lancaster bomber which had been produced with the purpose of conforming with the requirements of the Specification B.14/43.[2][3] Known initially as the Lancaster IV and Lancaster V, the envisioned aircraft, while bearing considerable similarity to the Lancaster, featured numerous improvements, such as the adoption of stronger, longer span, higher aspect ratio (10.30 compared with 8.02) wings along with two-stage supercharged Rolls-Royce Merlin 85 engines fitted within Universal Power Plant (UPP) installations.[4][3] The new bomber also possessed an enlarged fuselage that accommodated increased fuel and bomb loads and allowing for the carriage of up to 4.5 tons of various armaments and equipment fittings. As a result of these changes, it would possess a higher operational ceiling and longer range than its Lancaster predecessor, being capable of a maximum altitude of 35,000 ft (6.5 miles) and a maximum range of 4,450 miles.[5][4]

Royal Air Force Lincoln B.2 used by Napier's for icing research work until 1967 (1966)

The prototype Lancaster IV, later renamed as the Lincoln I was assembled by Avro's experimental flight department at Manchester's Ringway Airport.[6] According to aviation author Kev Delve, development of the Lincoln had proceeded relatively smoothly.[2] On 9 June 1944, the prototype conducted its maiden flight from Ringway Airport.[7][8] Testing of the prototype quickly proved it to have favourable flight characteristics.[6] In February 1945, the first production Lincoln was completed.[6]

Production of the type was primarily performed at Avro's Woodford, Cheshire and Chadderton, Lancashire factories; additional aircraft were also constructed by Armstrong Whitworth at their Coventry facilities. Separate production lines were also established in Canada and Australia, although, as a consequence of the end of the war, production in Canada was halted after only a single aircraft had been constructed. Production in Australia proceeded, the Lincolns that were subsequently manufactured there were operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Further development

One Lincoln B Mk XV pattern aircraft was completed in Canada by Victory Aircraft; a follow-up order for a total of six RCAF variants was cancelled shortly following the end of hostilities.[9] Along with two additional Lincoln (Mk I and Mk II) aircraft on loan from the RAF, the type was briefly evaluated postwar by the RCAF.[10] The Lancaster V/Lincoln II differed mainly in that it was fitted with Merlin 68A engines.

Prior to the Lincoln being developed, the Australian government had already formulated plans for its Department of Aircraft Production (DAP), later known as the Government Aircraft Factory (GAF), to construct the earlier Lancaster Mk III. In its place, it was decided to proceed with manufacturing a variant of the Lincoln I to replace the Consolidated Liberators, which was re-designated as the Lincoln Mk 30. This model was manufactured between 1946 and 1949; it has the distinction of being the largest aircraft ever constructed in Australia.[11] Orders for a total of 85 Mk 30 Lincolns were placed by the RAAF, although only 73 were ever produced.[12][13]

Lincoln A73-20 during a test flight. Note that both starboard engines have their propeller blades feathered

The first five Australian examples (A73–1 to A73–5), were assembled at Fishermans Bend, Victoria using a large proportion of imported British-made components. On 17 March 1946, A73-1 conducted its début flight; the first entirely Australian-built Lincoln, A73-6, was formally delivered in November 1946. The Mk 30 initially featured four Merlin 85 engines, this arrangement was later changed to a combination of two outboard Merlin 66s and two inboard Merlin 85s. A further improved later version, designated as Lincoln Mk 30A, featured a total of four Merlin 102s.

During the 1950s, the RAAF heavily modified some of their Mk 30 aircraft to perform anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, re-designating them Lincoln GR.Mk 31. These examples had a 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) longer nose to house acoustic submarine detection gear and its operators, larger fuel tanks to provide the aircraft with a 13-hour flight endurance and a modified bomb bay to accommodate torpedoes.[14] According to pilot feedback, the Lincoln Mk 31 was particularly difficult to land at night, as the bomber used a tailwheel and the long nose obstructed the pilot's view of the runway. In 1952, 18 aircraft were rebuilt to this standard, and were reallocated new serial numbers accordingly.[11] Ten were subsequently upgraded to the MR.Mk 31 standard, which included the adoption of an updated radar.[15]

Further aircraft were also derived from the Lincoln. A dedicated maritime patrol aircraft, designated as the Avro Shackleton, was developed for the RAF and the South African Air Force (SAAF). Additionally, Avro decided to develop a commercial airliner, known as the Tudor, which harnessed elements of the Lincoln, such as its wings, in combination with various new elements, such as the adoption of a pressurised fuselage, to perform passenger operations.

Operational history

Lineup of the first operation of No. 1 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force at RAF Tengah, Singapore, August 1950
RAAF Lincoln bomber dropping 500 lb bombs on Communist targets during the Malayan Emergency, c. 1950

Royal Air Force

During 1945, the Royal Air Force (RAF) received their first Lincoln, which was delivered to No. 57 Squadron based at RAF East Kirkby, Lincolnshire. In August 1945, No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron began to re-equip with the Lincoln at RAF Spilsby, Lincolnshire. However, No. 75 (NZ) Sqn had received just three aircraft prior to VJ Day, and was disbanded quickly thereafter.[6]

During the postwar climate, the Lincoln quickly equipped the bomber squadrons of the RAF. Nearly 600 Lincolns were constructed to equip a total of 29 RAF squadrons, the majority of which were based in the United Kingdom. They were supplemented and partially replaced by 88 Boeing Washingtons, on loan from the USAF, which had longer range and could reach targets inside the Iron Curtain.[16] Small numbers remained in use with Nos 7, 83 and 97 Squadrons until the end of 1955, at which point the type was phased out, having been replaced by the first of the V bombers.

During the 1950s, RAF Lincolns participated in active combat missions in Kenya against Mau-Mau insurgents. During this action, they were operated from Eastleigh. The Lincoln was also deployed to Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, where they were used against insurgents aligned to the Malayan Communist Party. In Malayan theatre, RAF Lincolns were operated from Changi Air Base and Tengah Air Base. In excess of 3,000 sorties were flown during their  7 1⁄2-year deployment, during which half a million pounds of bombs dropped. This equated to 85 per cent of the total bomb tonnage dropped during the Malayan emergency.[15]

On 12 March 1953, a RAF Lincoln (RF531 "C") of Central Gunnery School was shot down 20 mi (32 km) NE of Lüneburg, Germany by several Soviet MiG-15s as it flew to Berlin on a radar reconnaissance flight,[17] resulting in the deaths of the seven crew members.

In November 1955, four Lincolns of No. 7 Squadron RAF were detached for duties in British territories in the Middle East. In Bahrain, they carried out border patrols of the then Trucial States. When 7 Sqn was disbanded in December 1955, the four detached crews and aircraft became No. 1426 Flight RAF, officially a photographic reconnaissance unit. It was later sent to Aden, carrying out patrols in the lead up to the Aden Emergency.

As the RAF Lincolns became unserviceable, primarily due to progressive wear and tear, they were replaced by a variety of jet-powered aircraft. The Lincolns of Bomber Command were phased out from the mid-1950s and had been completely replaced by jet bombers by 1963. The last Lincolns in RAF service were five operated by No. 151 Squadron, Signals Command, at RAF Watton, Norfolk, which were retired on 12 March 1963.[18][19][20]

Royal Australian Air Force

From late 1946, Australian-built Lincolns were phased into No. 82 Wing, based at RAAF Base Amberley, Ipswich, Queensland. The type quickly replaced the Consolidated Liberator bombers that had been operated by 12, 21 and 23 Squadrons. In February 1948, these units were renumbered 1, 2 and 6 Squadrons respectively; a fourth RAAF Lincoln squadron, No. 10 was formed on 17 March 1949 at RAAF Townsville as a reconnaissance unit.

During the 1950s, RAAF Lincolns participated in combat operations in Malaya, operating alongside RAF examples. The RAAF based the B.Mk 30s of No.1 Squadron at Tengah, for the duration of operations in Malaya.[15]

These Lincolns served with No. 10 Squadron at RAAF Base Townsville, Garbutt, Queensland; however, the discovery of corrosion in the wing spars led to the type's premature retirement in 1961. The Lincoln MR.Mk 31 was the final variant to see service in Australia.[15][14]

Argentine Air Force

Argentine Air Force Lincoln B.2, preserved at the "National Aeronautics Museum", Argentina

From 1947, the Lincoln bomber served with the Fuerza Aerea Argentina; Argentina had procured a total of 30 aircraft, together with a batch of 15 secondhand Lancasters.[21][22] The adoption of the Lincoln effectively gave Argentina the most powerful bombing force in South America.[23] Eighteen of these Lincolns were newly built, along with twelve ex-RAF aircraft. In 1947, the type entered service with I Grupo de Bombardeo of V Brigada Aérea. By the beginning of 1965, eleven of these remained in operational use, the majority of these were retired during the next year. In 1967, the final examples of the Lincoln were retired.[24][20]

The Argentine aircraft were used in bombing missions against domestic rebels. Lincolns were deployed during an attempted military coup conducted in September 1951, the type was also used by both the government and rebel forces during the 1955 Revolución Libertadora coup which resulted in Argentinian President Juan Perón being deposed.[25][20]

Argentinian Lincolns were also used to conduct supply airdrops in support of Argentine operations in the Antarctic region.[26] In 1948, one of the bombers was returned to Avro for modification at RAF Langar in order to allow it to operate these Antarctic support flights; the changes included the addition of Lancastrian nose and tail cones, additional fuel tanks, and removal of armament; this led to the aircraft becoming the first Avro Lincolnian.[21][27] Modified as such, the aircraft received a civilian registration and was named Cruz del Sur; it undertook its first aerial supply flight to the Antarctic San Martín Base in December 1951.[27][28]

Use in aero-engine research

Avro Lincoln testbed G-37-1 at the Farnborough SBAC Show in 1956, flying solely on its nose-mounted Rolls-Royce Tyne

Lincolns were frequently employed as testbeds in new jet engine development. RF403, RE339/G and SX972 flew with a pair of Armstrong Siddeley Python turboprops outboard in place of the Merlins, and was used for the ballistic casing drop-test programme for the Blue Danube atomic weapon.[29] SX972 was further modified to fly with a pair of Bristol Proteus turboprops. RA716/G had a similarly placed pair of Bristol Theseus turboprops and later also flew with Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets replacing the pair of turboprops. Lincoln Test Bed RF530 kept its Merlins but had a Napier Naiad turboprop in the nose. It later flew, bearing the civilian "Class B" test registration G-37-1, with a similarly placed Rolls-Royce Tyne which it displayed at the 1956 Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) show, making a low level flypast on just the nose Tyne, the four Merlins being shut down and propellers feathered.[30]SX973 had a Napier Nomad diesel turbo-compound installed in a similar nose-mounted installation.[31] RA643 flew with a Bristol Phoebus turbojet in the bomb bay, and SX971 had an afterburning Rolls-Royce Derwent mounted ventrally.[32]

Commercial service

A pair of Lincoln IIs were operated by D. Napier & Son Ltd. for icing research from 1948 to 1962. A transport conversion of the Lincoln II, using the streamlined nose and tail cones of the Lancastrian and a ventral cargo pannier, was known as the Avro 695 Lincolnian.[14]

One Lincoln Freighter converted by Airflight Ltd was used on the Berlin Air Lift by Surrey Flying Services Ltd.[14]

Four Lincolnian conversions by Field Aircraft Services for use as meat haulers in Paraguay were not delivered and subsequently scrapped.[14]

Variants

Avro Type 694
Prototypes to Air Ministry Specification 14/43, three-built
Lincoln I
Long-range bomber version for the RAF. Powered by four 1,750 hp (1,305 kW) Rolls-Royce Merlin 85 inline piston engines.[33]
Lincoln II
Long-range bomber version for the RAF. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin 66, 68A and 300 inline piston engines. Built by Avro, Armstrong-Whitworth and Vickers-Metropolitan.[34]
Lincoln III
The Lincoln III was intended to be a maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The aircraft later became the Avro Shackleton.[35]
Lincoln IV
Lincoln II converted to Merlin 85 power.[35]
Lincoln Mk 15 (B Mk XV)
This designation was given to one aircraft, built by Victory Aircraft in Canada.[36]
Lincoln Mk 30
Long-range bomber version for the RAAF.[36]
Lincoln Mk 30A
Long-range bomber version for the RAAF, fitted with a longer nose and Australian manufactured Merlin 102s.[36]
Lincoln Mk 31 (GR 31)
General reconnaissance version of Mk.30 for the RAAF, fitted with a longer nose.[37][36] Four Rolls-Royce Merlin 85 or 1,650 h.p. Merlin 102 powerplants.
Lincoln MR 31
Anti-submarine warfare/maritime reconnaissance version of Mk 31 for the RAAF.[37]
Avro 695 Lincolnian
Transport derivative similar to the Avro Lancastrian
Lincoln ASR.3.
Initial designation of the Avro Shackleton, which was based on the Lincoln.

Operators

Several Argentinian Lincoln bombers flying in close formation, circa 1950
A formation of nine Australian Lincolns, 1953
 Argentina
 Australia
 Canada
 United Kingdom

Accidents and incidents

Aircraft on display

A preserved RAF Lincoln on static display at RAF Museum Cosford, Shropshire, 2010

Argentina

On display

Australia

Stored or under restoration

United Kingdom

On display

Specifications (Lincoln I)

Cockpit of an Avro Lincoln
Bomb bay of a preserved Lincoln

Data from Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57 [41]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ↑ The Lincoln was capable of the following ranges with a 14,000 lb bomb load: 2,800 miles at 15,000 ft and 200 mph; 2,240 miles at 20,000 ft and 260 mph. The Lincoln was capable of the following ranges with a 6,000 lb bomb load: 4,000 miles at 15,000 ft and 200 mph; 3,430 miles at 20,000 ft and 260 mph.[43] Using the Merlin 102 engine, an RAAF Lincoln was able to take off in 2,874 ft with an all up weight of 82,000 lb.[44] A lightened Lincoln, using Merlin 114 engines, and carrying a rocket assisted bomb similar in size and weight to a 12,000 lb Tallboy bomb, was able to achieve 42,000 ft.[45]

Citations

  1. 1 2 Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 58.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Delve 2005, p. 248.
  3. 1 2 Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 58–59.
  4. 1 2 Delve 2005, pp. 248–249.
  5. ↑ Nathan, Stuart. "February 1946: the last of the piston-engined bombers." The Engineer, 4 February 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 59.
  7. ↑ Delve 2005, p. 249.
  8. ↑ Scholefield 1998, p. 37.
  9. ↑ "Avro Lincoln." Archived 5 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine. airforce.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved: 30 August 2010.
  10. ↑ "Avro Lincoln." Royal Canadian Air Force, Retrieved: 30 August 2010.
  11. 1 2 Jackson 1990, p. 412.
  12. 1 2 "A73 Avro Lincoln." RAAF Museum, Point Cook. Retrieved: 30 August 2010.
  13. ↑ Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 60–61.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 61.
  15. 1 2 3 4 World Aircraft Information Files, 1997.
  16. ↑ Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 59–60.
  17. 1 2 http://www.spyflight.co.uk/linc.htm
  18. ↑ Jackson 1990, p. 406.
  19. ↑ "Avro Lincoln B2." Royal Air Force Museum, Retrieved: 3 March 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 60.
  21. 1 2 Jackson 1990, p. 409.
  22. ↑ Marino et al. 2001, p. 65.
  23. ↑ Marino et al. 2002, p. 37.
  24. ↑ Marino et al. 2002, p. 41.
  25. ↑ Marino et al. 2002, pp. 40–41.
  26. ↑ Marino et al. 2002, p. 39.
  27. 1 2 "A 61-year Operation Link, the first FAA flight over Antarctica." aeroespacio, Retrieved: 29 December 2012.
  28. ↑ "Avro 694 Lincoln modificado Cruz del Sur." asociacionatta.com. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.
  29. ↑ The National Archives, London, file ES 1/44.
  30. ↑ "No. 4610. Avro 694 Lincoln B. Mk. II (G-37-1)." Maurice Collier Collection. Retrieved: 26 December 2009.
  31. ↑ Grant 2003
  32. ↑ Franks 2000, pp. 97–99.
  33. ↑ Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 63.
  34. ↑ Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 63–64.
  35. 1 2 Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 64.
  36. 1 2 3 4 Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 65.
  37. 1 2 3 Wilson 1994, p. 216.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Delve 2005, p. 251.
  39. 1 2 3 4 "Individual History: Avro Lincoln B.2 RF398/8376M – Museum Accession Number 84/A/1182." Royal Air Force Museum, 2012.
  40. ↑ "33°44'00.0"S 65°23'00.0"W." Google Maps, Retrieved: 3 May 2015.
  41. ↑ Thetford 1957, p. 65.
  42. ↑ Jackson 1990, p. 411.
  43. ↑ Flight Magazine, 26 January 1946, p. 59.
  44. ↑ Garbett and Goulding 1979, p. 95.
  45. ↑ Garbett and Goulding 1979, p. 70.
  46. ↑ Mason 1994, p. 357.

Bibliography

  • Buttler, Tony. Avro Lincoln (Warpaint series no. 34). Denbigh East, Bletchley, UK: Hall Park Books, 2000.
  • Delve, Ken. Bomber Command: 1936–1968: An Operational & Historical Record. Pen and Sword, 2005. ISBN 1-47381-259-3.
  • Franks, Richard A. The Avro Lancaster, Manchester and Lincoln. Bedford, United Kingdom: SAM Publications, 2000. ISBN 0-9533465-3-6.
  • Garbett, Mike and Brian Goulding. Lincoln at War. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Ltd, 1979. ISBN 0-7110-0847-7.
  • Grant, Jim. Lincoln Test Beds Model Aircraft Monthly, Volume 2 Issue 11, November 2003, SAM Publications, ISSN 1475-3405
  • Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908, 2nd edition. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.
  • Lake, Alan. Flying Units Of The RAF. London: Airlife Publishing Ltd, 1999. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  • Lake, Jon. Type Analysis: Avro Lincoln International Air Power Review, Volume 1, 1997, Airtime publishing. ISSN 1473-9917.
  • Mantelli, Brown, Kittel, Graf. "Avro Lancaster – Handley Page Halifax – Short S.29 Stirling." Edizioni R.E.I., 2017. ISBN 2-37297-333-9.
  • Marino, Atilo, Vladimiro Celleto and Javier Mosquera. "Argentina's 'Heavies': Avro Lancaster, Lincoln and Lancastrian in Military Service: Part One." Air Enthusiast, No. 95, September/October 2001, pp. 64–70. Stamford, UK. Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Marino, Atilo, Vladimiro Celleto and Javier Mosquera. "Argentina's 'Heavies': Avro Lancaster, Lincoln and Lancastrian in Military Service: Part Two." Air Enthusiast, No. 97, January/February 2002, pp. 36–43. Stamford, UK. Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam, 1994. ISBN 0-85177-861-5.
  • Scholefield, R.A. Manchester Airport. Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: Sutton Publishing, 1998. ISBN 0-7509-1954-X.
  • Thetford, Owen. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57. London: Putnam, 1957.
  • Wilson, Stewart (1994). Military Aircraft of Australia. Weston Creek, Australia: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1875671080. 
  • Wilson, Stewart. Lincoln, Canberra and F-111 in Australian Service. Weston Creek, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications, 1989. ISBN 0-9587978-3-8.
  • World Aircraft Information Files, File # 022. London: Bright Star Publishing Ltd, 1997.

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