Lancaster Performance

Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

4 April 1942

Lancaster I. D.G.595
(4 Merlin XX)

Level Speed Trials

Introduction.
 
          Speed trials were required in order to find the loss of speed due to the fitting of the original A.&A.E.E. Cascade box flame dampers and dorsal turret cam-track. Tests were made at light load on the second prototype Lancaster D.G.595 during December, 1941 for comparison with previous level speeds.

Full Throttle Speeds

For the full report see HERE


Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

28 June 1944

Lancaster I. JB.127
(4 Merlin 24)

Climb and level speed performance
with paddle-blade propellers

Introduction.
 
          Performance trials have now been made on this aircraft with paddle-blade propellers fitted, for comparison with previous tests, reported in the 50th Part, when standard propellers (type A5/138) were fitted.

Climb Performance
Level Speed Performance

For the full report see HERE


Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

25 May 1944

Lancaster I. LL.905
(4 Merlin 24)

Performance and handling trials
of a production aircraft

Introduction.
 
          Brief performance and handling trials were required on this aircraft to establish any material changes in performance or handling characteristics that might occur in the production of the type.

          LL.905 was the 2nd Lancaster I from the Armstrong Whitworth plant at Coventry to undergo these A.& A.E.E. trials.

          The aircraft was tested by an A.& A.E.E. pilot and technical observer with the co-operation of the RAF station at Binbrook.

Climb Performance
Level Speed Performance

For the full report see HERE


Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

30 July 1945

Lancaster I. PD.435
(4 Merlin 24)

Performance at weights up to 72,000 lb.

Summary

          Performance trials have been made at weights up to 72,000 lb. The results are as follows :-

          Position error correction. The P.E.C. at 55,000 lb varies from - mph at 120 mph ASI tp -4½ mph at 280 mph ASI.

          Climb. From a take-off wight of 70,000 lb.

 ICANTropical Summer
Max. rate of climb ft/min.At full throttle height, ft.Max. rate of climb ft/min.At full throttle height, ft.
MS gear59010,3003708,800
FS gear37016,20017014,700

          Level speeds (66,500 lb.)
Maximum cruising speed in FS gear(244 mph TAS at 16,600 ft. (ICAN)
(235 mph TAS at 15,100 ft. (tropical summer)
 
Cruising ceiling (based on 162 mph EAS)(19,900 ft. (ICAN)
(17,000 ft. (tropical summer)
 
          Specific air range. The optimum specific air range at 15,000 ft. at 66,500 lb. is as follows :-

MS gear1.07 ampg ICAN
FS gear(1.01 ampg ICAN
(0.95 ampg Tropical summer

          Take-off and landing. Under ICAN conditions the mean distances were as follows :-
 
          Take-off at 72,000 lb., 1080 yds.(Ground run, using +18 lb/sq.in., 3000 rpm 20° flap)
 
          Landing at 60,000 lb., 1070 yds.(using full flap)
 
          It is estimated that correction to tropical summer conditions would increase these distances by about 25%.

Climb Performance
Level Speed Performance

For the full report see HERE


Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

31 March 1944

A review of the performance and handling trials
of ten production Lancaster Mk.III aircraft

Summary

          Between January and October 1943, ten Lancaster III aircraft representing current production were briefly tested for performance and handling at full load.

          The results have been reviewed to search for any signs of improvement or decay withing the type.

          No material change was found, but the one aircraft which was the sole representative from a daughter firm gave certain performance results which were inferior to the remainder.

Mean Climb Performance of 10 Lancasters Mk III
Mean Level Speeds for 10 Lancasters Mk III

For the full report see HERE


Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

24 May 1944

Lancaster VI JB.675
(4 Merlin 85)

Brief performance trials and position error

 
          A Mk.VI Lancaster, which differs from the Mk.I and III by the fitting of Universal power plants (Merlin 85 engines) came to this Establishment for general hadning tests in order to ensure that, before proceeding on operations, the type possessed no unusual handing characteristics. Although the aircraft was only available for a few days, it was decided to carry out a few brief performance tests at the same time.

F.T. Climb Performance
Level Speeds

For the full report see HERE


Supplemental

Lancaster X Weight data
Lancaster I PB.995 Position error trials and determination of specific air range with a 22,000 lb. bomb fitted
Lancaster I Overload trials
Lancaster I & III Aircraft Data Sheet
Lancaster I & III Aircraft Data Sheet
Lancaster II Aircraft Data Sheet
Memorandum Report on Lancaster III, British Bombardment Airplane - Pilot's Comments
Merlin 28 - Operational Limitations
Operational Limitations for Merlin 28 and Merlin V, 1650-1 Engines, 10th September 1942
Lancaster III, Merlin XXVIII Engine, Special Instruction T.F.159., 13 April 1943
Rating Certificate, Merlins 28. 29 and 31, 1st November, 1943

WWII Aircraft Performance