Pilot's and Flight Engineer's Notes Lancaster: Mark I – Four Merlin XX, 22 or 24 Engines: Mark III & X – Four Merlin 28 or 38 Engines

by Air Ministry

THE MANUAL USED BY RAF LANCASTER PILOTS IN THE BOMBER OFFENSIVE AGAINST GERMANY. Spring 1944, the RAF bomber offensive against Nazi Germany is in full swing, you’ve just gained your ‘wings’ and been selected to fly heavy bombers – and the most advanced and successful bomber aircraft in the world at that, the Avro Lancaster. A slim booklet, 'Pilot’s and Flight Engineer’s Notes Lancaster Mark I, III & X' is pressed into your hands by your squadron commander and you are told to study it before your first flight. This official manual also covers the duties of the Lancaster’s flight engineer, a vital member of the seven-strong aircrew who sat next to the pilot in the cockpit and ran the four-engined bombers intricate systems. The Air Ministry published 'Pilot’s Notes' on every type of aircraft the RAF flew. They were designed so the pilot could familiarise themselves with the aircraft’s individual controls, flying characteristics and operational limits, rather like an owner’s manual. Answers the questions below and many How do you land on only two engines? Under what circumstances would you ‘feather’ one of the Lancaster’s Merlin engines? How do you open the bomb doors? What is the safest take-off speed with a full bomb-load? Can the automatic pilot be used with two dead engines on one side? What is the cockpit drill if there is a fire onboard? How do you put out an engine fire? How do you ‘ditch’ in the sea? How do you parachute-out a wounded crewman? If you crash-land in enemy territory how do you destroy your aircraft? ABOUT THE AUTHOR The Air Ministry was a department of the British government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the RAF. Pilot’s Notes were in fact exact copies of sections from a far larger publication issued by the Air Ministry covering every aspect of the aeroplane including basic electrical system, details of the airframe, engine installation etc. The maintenance sections were used by the RAF ground crew ‘erks’ to help familiarise those whose job it was to keep such systems working. In 1964 the Air Ministry was merged with the Admiralty and the War Office to form the Ministry of Defence.

60 pages, Paperback

Published July 19, 2019