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| RAAF No. 460 Squadron |
Aircraft History This aircraft was ordered during 1940. One of 400 built by Metropolitan Vickers Ltd. When built, this Lancaster was powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin XX 12 cylinder liquid-cooled engines, with a single stage centrifugal supercharger plus a mid-under defensive gun position. Wartime History Ferried overseas to Australia. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). During October 1942 assigned to No. 460 Squadron with code AR-G and nicknamed "G for George". In Australian service, fitted with Merlin 22 engines instead and the mid-under defensive gun position was not used. This Lancaster flew roughly 90 missions with 27 crews. The main crews were captained by Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) J A Saint-Smith (13 missions), Flt Sgt J Murray (13 missions), Flying Officer Henderson (10 missions), and Pilot Officer H Carter (21 missions). The aircraft's longest missions was on April 13, 1943 flying 10 hours 9 minutes to La Spezia, Italy. This Lancaster flew its last operational raid on April 20, 1944 against Cologne, Germany. Afterwards, retired from combat service as having completed more operations than almost any other aircraft in RAF Bomber Command. During June 1944 the Department of Air made it available for war museum purposes and underwent an extensive overhaul to enable it to fly to Australia. On October 11, 1944 departed on the ferry flight flown by an Australian crew led by pilot Flight Lieutenant E. A. Hudson, DFC and Bar. On November 8, 1944 arrived in Brisbane and the next day was assigned to 3 Aircraft Depot (3 AD) at Amberley Airfield. Assigned Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) serial number A66-2. In 1945 the aircraft toured the eastern states of Australia in connection with the Third Victory Loan until finally declared surplus and transferred to the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Display Since 1955 displayed at Australian War Memorial (AWM) where it is one of the most popular exhibits at the museum. This Lancaster underwent extensive restoration at the Australian War Memorial Annex (AWM Annex) Treloar Technology Centre, it went back on display in ANZAC Hall in the permanent "Striking by night" exhibit with a light and sound show that re-creates a night bombing operation over Berlin in December 1943. References Australian War Memorial RELAWM31788 Australian War Memorial "G For George" Avro Lancaster Contribute
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