Avro Manchester
Avro · United Kingdom · first flew 1939 · bomber
The Avro Manchester was a British twin-engine heavy bomber that entered RAF service in 1940, powered by the unreliable Rolls-Royce Vulture engine. Though operationally unsuccessful due to persistent engine problems, it directly led to the four-Merlin Avro Lancaster.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 21.34 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin Rolls-Royce Vulture engines — the main recognition feature
- Three-fin tail arrangement on early production aircraft
- Large mid-wing heavy bomber with prominent dorsal and ventral turrets
Resembles an early Lancaster but with only two engine nacelles; the original triple tail fin arrangement of the Manchester I is unique; the IA with twin fins is nearly identical in profile to the Lancaster without its outboard engines.
Specifications
- The Avro Manchester has a length of 21.34 m (70 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 27.46 m (90 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 426 km/h (265 mph).
- Typical crew: 7.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Manchester entered service with No. 207 Squadron in November 1940 and flew its first operational mission in February 1941. Engine failures were chronic and the type suffered disproportionate losses; it was withdrawn from front-line bombing in June 1942 after only 18 months of operations, but its airframe was the direct basis for the Lancaster.
Variants
The Manchester I had a triple tail fin arrangement and was the first production variant; the Manchester IA introduced a conventional twin-fin tail identical to the Lancaster; the Manchester II with four Bristol Hercules engines was tested but not produced.
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with RAF Bomber Command's No. 5 Group; never exported and quickly replaced by the Lancaster.
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- Avro Lancaster
- Avro Lancaster B.I
- Avro Lancaster B.III
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