The most famous British bomber of World War II, the Avro Lancaster flew on many famous raids - the 'Dambusters' Raid, the daylight raid on Augsburg and the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz. As the backbone of the British bombing offensive, Lancasters inclicted decisively crippling damage on enemy factories and installations. As the up-engined development of the unsuccessful Avro Manchester I, the Lancaster first became operational in March 1942. Its four 1640hp Rolls Royce Merlin engines made it a formidable weapon, and it was the only bomber capable of carrying the 22,000lb 'Grand Slam' bomb. By the summer of 1944, it equipped more than 40 squadrons, and during its service career - with the British, Australian and Canadian air forces - over 7,000 of these redoubtable aircraft were built. The Lancaster Manual is reprinted from the official manuals originally produced by the Air Ministry for the personnel who actually flew and maintained the aircraft. All the essential technical details, including instructions for ground crews, handling and flying notes, electrical and radio equipment, airframe design and armament, are to be found within these pages, affording a uniquely authoritative - indeed definitive - reference source on the Lancaster Marks I and III. Other books in this classic series include The Spitfire Manual and The Hurricane Manual.