Aeroplane Heaven – Avro Type 683 Lancaster v1.5.0

v1.5.0:
– A switch was missing on 2 of the 3 variants. This has been rectified.

The Avro Type 683 Lancaster actually started life in 1937, as a two-engined design – the ill-fated Manchester. Although the Manchester was an advanced aeroplane for the time, early problems with stability saw the addition of a third fin on the rear fuselage. First flown on July 25, 1939, 200 Manchester Mk.1s were built and delivered to the RAF.

A much revised, four-engined version of the Manchester took to the air in October, 1941. Gone was the middle fin and four improved Rolls-Royce engines gave the new design excellent performance. Pilots loved the new machine and a new name – Lancaster – was given to the aeroplane to expunge any of the legacy of the flawed Manchester.

The first production aircraft took to the air on October 31, 1941, followed by orders which would lead to a total of 7,734 airframes being built over the life of the type. The first squadron to receive the new bomber was No 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron which carried out its first operational mission – mine-laying in the Heligoland Bight on March 3, 1942.

Features:

• All new Hi-Fidelity models with exceptional levels of detail
• Beautifully crafted exterior and interior models built using factory plans and drawings for complete accuracy
• Accurately modelled crew stations with many unique features and animations
• All three turrets modelled with interior details and special camera views
• Unique configuration panels at each station control camera view selection and crew selection (visibility)
• Complete seven-man crew faithfully modelled and each toggled on/off via special configuration controls
• Immersive diorama including standing crew by rear door, authentic ‘Matador’ fuel truck, period starting cart and bomb trolley with various bombs
• Beautifully rendered, detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin XX beneath removable engine cover
• Highly accurate flight dynamics and performance based on real-world data
• Specially created sound pack, authored by Echo19 to provide the finest Lancaster sounds ever heard in a simulator
• Completely authentic engine start, running routines and engine management
• Separate ‘Dam Buster’ version depicting Guy Gibson’s Lancaster with rotating ‘Upkeep’ bomb and twin height-defining spotlights
• Separate ‘H2S’ version with H2S radar dome and internals

Seven authentic liveries from WWII fighter squadrons:

• ME649 ‘AR_J’ 103 Squadron RAF
• W4783 ‘AR_G’ 469 Squadron RAAF
• Battle of Britain Memorial Flight PA474 currently painted as JB607 ‘AR_L’ 460 Squadron RAAF
• RF128 ‘QB V’ 424 Squadron RAF
• ED932 ‘AJ G’ 617 Squadron RAF
• R5868 ‘PO S’ 457 Squadron RAF
• LM591 ‘VN B’ 50 Squadron RAF