Avro Lancaster B X
Avro Canada · CA · first flew 1943 · bomber
The B X was the Canadian-built Lancaster, produced by Victory Aircraft in Malton, Ontario, and differing from British marks in its Packard-built Merlins and some US-sourced equipment.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 21.11 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Packard-built Merlin 224/225 engines — externally similar to Rolls-Royce Merlins but with slightly different exhaust ejector stub arrangement
- Canadian-built by Victory Aircraft Ltd, Malton, Ontario; some aircraft have Martin 250CE dorsal turret (US-built) instead of Nash & Thompson
- Many post-war B Xs served as maritime patrol aircraft with RCAF, often with modified nose glazing
The B X is externally near-identical to British Lancasters. The Martin 250CE dorsal turret (if fitted) has a different profile from the Nash & Thompson FN.50. On post-war maritime conversions, extensive nose modifications and radar fits make identification straightforward. On wartime examples, only close inspection of manufacturer's plates distinguishes it.
Specifications
- The Avro Lancaster B X has a length of 21.11 m (69 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 31.09 m (102 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 462 km/h (287 mph).
- Typical crew: 7.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
430 B Xs built, all delivered to No. 6 Group RCAF Bomber Command for operations over Europe 1943-45. Post-war many served with the RCAF in maritime reconnaissance roles until the late 1950s.
Variants
Some modified post-war to Lancaster 10MR (maritime reconnaissance) and 10N (navigation trainer). The designation 'B.X' was the Canadian designation; British marks used Roman numerals.
Where you'll see it
RCAF No. 6 Group 1943-45; post-war RCAF maritime command. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at Hamilton, Ontario, operates the only airworthy Lancaster in North America ('Vera', a B X), which appears at airshows across Canada and the US.
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