Avro Lancaster – Bomb Aimer’s Station

Here, we shall look at the Avro Lancaster Bomber’s Bomb Aimer or Air Bomber’s Station in the aircraft. We shall look at various wartime diagrams and photographs, and refer to extracts from the wartime Air Ministry manuals.

Join us, as we take a tour of the Lancaster’s Air Bomber’s Station, as we embark on a journey aimed at promoting UK Aviation Heritage.

Textual extracts from Air Ministry Air Publications are Crown Copyright and transcribed with the kind permission of the National Archives, London. All colour diagrams are based on original Air Ministry Air Publications mono illustrations and transcribed into colour by Bryan Atkinson with the permission of the National Archives, London.

Thanks must also be given to the following superb organisations for their kind support when Bryan Atkinson originally developed The Lancaster Explored PC CD-ROM back in 2004, all are listed below and are included once again in this series of videos.

Lancaster B.Mk.I, PA474. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Lancaster B.Mk.I, R5868. Royal Air Force Museum, London.
Lancaster B. Mk.III, DV372. Imperial War Museum.
Lancaster B.Mk.X, KB889. Imperial War Museum, Duxford.
Lancaster B.Mk.VII, NX611. Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre.
The Norman Groom & Jeremy Hall Lancaster Nose Sections.

The Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust.
The National Archives, London.


The material contained in this video is intended for historical, reference and entertainment value only, and is not to be construed as usable for aircraft or component restoration, maintenance, or use.



#lancasterbomber #avrolancaster #ukaircraftexplored

Table of Contents:

00:00 - Introduction
00:32 - Description of Nose of Lancaster
01:36 - The Bombsight
02:12 - Auto Steering Unit Mk.IV
02:32 - The Switchbox
03:25 - The Air Bomber's Starboard Panel
03:35 - Bomb Pre Selector Switches
04:06 - Bomb Jettison Pull
04:24 - The Stick Bomb Timing Device
04:37 - The Bomb Dropping Selector Box
04:51 - The Bomb Firing Switch
05:03 - 4000lb. Bomb Slip Heating Switch
05:33 - F.24 Camera Controls
05:43 - F.24 Camera and Heating Muff
06:02 - Forward Bomb Bay Inspection Door
06:14 - Oxygen Supply
06:26 - Bomb Sight Blister De-Icing
06:56 - Auto Control Gyros
07:27 - Parachute Stowage
07:37 - Parachute Exit
07:51 - The Handrail

[dekenba]

That's an incredibly complicated piece of machinery, I had no idea it was that sophisticated. Amazing.

[barryclements]

I have a much greater appreciation for the workings of the bomb aimer's position. Hard to believe my father at 21 and 22 performed all those tasks. Unbelievable they all did at such an age.

[bill]

Fascinating. Far more complicated set up than I imagined. Took a look inside one at an air show years ago with my father who did a tour in them.

[jekylthorn]

Fantastic video and channel! I am totally addicted and engrossed! Many thanks!

[PuppetgoD]

Loved it, I’ve always been interested in bomb Aimers in all ww2 aircraft

[mpersad]

Another fascinating and wonderfully researched video. Thank you.

[davegoldsmith]

Thanks Bryan, climbed down into the nose many a time, but it was always to check the hatch was secure, Stuck my head up into the Turrett a good few times as well. But never paid much attention to the bomb aimers kit until today, another fine video, again thanks.

[feetinches]

Remarkable series of videos you've done here. I'm about to set about building a 1/48 scale Lanc and these will be invaluable I'm sure.

[garywood]

this will be a great help in building my Lancaster Border Models edition " thanks "

[greybeardmodels]

Great video Bryan. I've just started building a model of the cockpit and nose of the Lancaster. Your videos are invaluable. Many thanks. Cheers Bob 👍

[jameswebb]

Without doubt the most detailed and informative videos on WW2 aircraft . When you do your vid on the Mk XIV Bombsight can you you do a comparison to the Norden ?

[peggyundjack]

Great video as usual. Did the air Bomber compartment have its own compass?

[daverose]

Great video, thank you. I had heard that the escape hatch, under the bomb aimer's position, was too small to allow a crew member wearing a parachute to pass through. Is this true?

[richardyoung]

I noticed the mention of a parachute storage. I presume this means the bomb aimer could not wear his parachute while in the bomb aimer's position. I would hate to TRY to get a parachute on if the plane was going down. This would be almost impossible. The aircraft might be on its sode or even upside down and on fire. I have read a USAF accident investigation report of a KC-135 that lost its vertical stabilizer. The remains of the crew was found near the exit hatch. They were trying to get their parachutes on.

[folksinger]

I thought you mifgt have pointed out that 1940's aircrew in full flying gear and wearing a parachute could not pass through the forward escape hatch.

[rallySeo]

Thank you, this is great! Question: was the Auto Steering Unit Mk. IV fitted by default? I haven't noticed in most pictures of that area before this. I'm the same guy who asked about weight and balancing of the Lanc on another video, however I'd rather not leave my email address here. What's a good way to get in touch with you without sharing our info here?

[wayinfront]

''The air bomber' - previously always known as the bomb aimer.