Lancaster Bomber: The Incredible Ability of the Dambuster’s Heavy Bomber

The Avro Lancaster Bomber is one of the most famous heavy bombers of the Second World War. With a wingspan of 102 feet and four Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engines, the Lancaster could carry the heaviest bomb load in the European Theatre of Operations. This carrying capacity facilitated one of the most high-profile missions of the war: the attack on the Ruhr valley in 1943, now known as the Dam Busters Raid, when 19 Lancasters were adapted to carry Upkeep, the famous Bouncing Bomb. In this video, our expert tells us why the Lancaster Bomber played such a crucial role in WW2. We go inside the fuselage of Duxford’s Lancaster KB889, take a look at the cockpit, and explore the enormous bomb load of this Second World War icon. Interested in a closer look? Book ’The Inside View’ experience today, delivered by an IWM expert: