Avro Lancaster - Bomb Aimer’s Station

[@barryclements62]

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.

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Thanks

[@bill8784]

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.

[@PuppetgoD]

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

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you found it interesting.

[@jekylthorn8969]

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

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Yosemite-George-61]

Excelent ! Second to none! Thank you!

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

You're welcome!

[@mpersad]

Another fascinating and wonderfully researched video. Thank you.

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@garywood1973]

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

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

You are very welcome Gary

[@36feet10inches]

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.

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Thanks for watching and have fun building!

[@davegoldsmith4020]

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.

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Your Welcome!

[@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 👍

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Glad to help! I'm working of the Wireless Operator's Position for the next video.

[@greybeardmodels]

@@ukaircraftexplored6556 that will be really useful, thank you so much.

[@jameswebb4593]

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 ?

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

My video covering the Bombsight XIV is available to watch now. Will look into the Norden Sight for the future. Thanks for watching James!

[@peggyundjack]

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

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Not a compass exactly. But the Bombsight Computor Mk.XIV was connected via leads to the D R Compass. Thanks for watching.

[@daverose8082]

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?

[@richardyoung5217]

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.

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

I totally agree Richard, it must have been a nightmare. Parachutes were often stowed to enable the crew to carry out their duties easier. When the order to abandon the aircraft came in an emergency, their training would be vital to aid leaving the stricken bomber. Thanks for watching!

[@rthompson7612]

My dad had to put his on before he jumped out so they couldn't wear it in such a small place.

[@kenstevens5065]

Even with a parachute already on it can become impossible to get to the escape hatch because of the gravitational forces in a spinning or falling out of control aircraft. This was a problem later in the V bombers whose rear three crew members did not have ejection seats.

[@thierryruellan1828]

Hi everyone, I've been reading in a book called "sarabande nocturne" ,wich encompasses the telling and various interviews of french aircrews flying night bombing missions over Germany in squadrons 346 and 347,no 4 group bomber command between may 1944/45 that bailing out of a Halifax was pretty scary and hazardous. In most incidents, the most successful crew position was the bomb aimer's position in terms of survival. Then came the navigator. The pilot and flight engineer's position were the worst in terms of survival rates. The flight engineer had to assist the pilot in clipping his parachute. The wireless operator then had to jetison a transmitting aerial before any crew bailed out or this device could behead them when jumping. The tail gunner's possibility of escape was often doomed because of turret doors jamming. The mid upper gunner had a better chance of survival because his position was not too far from the rear exit. Anyway ALL of them had to clip their harness in a hurry in case of emergency. After a solid burst of gunfire in the tanks either by flak or "schrage music",2 upwards 30mm cannons firing upwards in the bomber's wings, things were simple. These guys had an average 3 MNS to bail out before the aircraft exploded or disintegrated. Scary job in an impressurised aircraft,unheated, with 4/5 tons of high explosives and 12 tons of high octane gasoline.

[@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?

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Message me on Facebook - Bryan Atkinson.

[@folksinger2100]

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.

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

The wartime manuals point out that the forward hatch was indeed the only exit for parachuting from the aircraft.

[@folksinger2100]

@@ukaircraftexplored6556 I used to work with a Lancaster Navigator who pointed out this short coming and how the main spar was a hindrance to movement. What's written in a handbook not necessarily correct in practice, was the author writing from experience??? Also poor exits for parachuting seem to have been carried over by Avro in the Vulcan design, yes the flight deck could eject out but the 3 'back seaters' not a hope,

[@wayinfront1]

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

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Thanks for watching

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Optical glass

[@ukaircraftexplored6556]

Yes, an optically flat glass panel set into the forward blister - Thanks for watching