[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Aircrafty

Hey Horny (if I can call you that ), did the Lancaster ever appear in actual CC colours during WWII?

Hi Aircrafty,

No, the Lancaster never operated with Coastal Command during W.W.II - simply because the authorities, & 'Bomber Harris' in particular, wanted to equip Bomber Command wholeheartedly with Lancasters.

That's because their performance was (considered) good from the start, they were popular with their crews, especially pilots - & most importantly of all, they could carry a massive bomb load, that made other a/c pale in comparison (certainly in the E.T.O.), & Harris wanted to bludgeon the German cities into oblivion - better to have one Lanc' loaded to the gills, then two Wellingtons or Stirlings carrying the same load, to the same target.

Curiously, (& no-one in print seems to have remarked why ?), BUT the Lancaster was chosen as the RAF's late 'forties & early 'fifties Maritime patrol a/c, WHEN IT HAD ALREADY BEEN PROVEN IN TEST & COMBAT CONDITIONS that the Halifax had a far greater survivability & ditching qualities, when it came to alighting on the sea, in an emergency.

Plus the (radial-engined) Bristol Hercules engined Halifaxes had a noticably better performance than any wartime Lanc', particularly on take-off & then climb with a comparitive bomb-load, a fact often remarked upon by operational pilots, who flew both in combat.

The Halifaxes served Coastal Command until 1952.

The last Lancaster (an MR.3) was retired on the 15th October 1956.....

The new Grey Corgi one depicts one of these.

Both Halifax & Lancaster were replaced by Neptunes & Shackletons, a

derivative of the Lancaster, which didn't leave RAF service till late 1991 !!!!

[Black 6]

Thanks Sniper. I didn't realize that Mossie was in CC colors. I just really liked its looks. I've been trying to snag one of those on Ebay for a while now and I've been sniped more than once in the bidding. Guess I will need to try harder.

And any of the other models you mention would find a nice place in my collection too.

Originally Posted by sniperUK

Dont forget the black Swordfish which is CC as is this NO. 235 DH MOSQUITO

Then we need Ansons,Blenheims,Beauforts,Beaufighters,Shackleton s etc.

[Black 6]

Hey Horn, thanks for all the additional information.

What reference books are you using? I would like to get my hands on some of that material. Unless, of course, you just know all this for which I bow before thee.

It is just so cool the stuff you pick up here.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Black 6

Hey Horn, thanks for all the additional information.

What reference books are you using? I would like to get my hands on some of that material. Unless, of course, you just know all this for which I bow before thee.

It is just so cool the stuff you pick up here.

Gulp, answering this without sounding like a right big-head !!!!!

Most of it is knowledge I've absorbed/accumulated over the course of

studying a/c over almost 40 years.


I made my first Airfix Mosquito 1/72 back in 1967, followed by most of the whole range thereafter.

Bearing in mind I've read (& owned countless) books, models etc, as well as lived nearby famous airfields most of my life, as well belonging to an a/c restoration group (#39 R.G. North Weald).

Also an active member of a well-known London - I.P.M.S. group (Hornchurch of course !!!) which obviously members share & exchange information & kits.

Studying paint schemes/decal sheets & choices help, not to mention visiting some of the finest museums in Europe (especially Duxford !!!) & airshows since 1974.

Internet helps & supplements, but books are the main source, obviously.

It would help if I had a more retentive memory, but certain things stick inside the grizzled old middle-aged brain !!!!

Coastal Command is a subject I've been into since about 12 years old (I'm 46 now), really triggered off by a 'Commando comic', featuring a beautiful C.C. B.17 (White/Green/Grey), just like the beautiful Corgi one.

Obviously another source is actually meeting numerous W.W.II Veterans, & hearing them relate their stories.

i.e., having access to North Weald, I was privileged to spend best part of an hour talking to (Col) James Goodson, 4th F.G. (ex 336th Commander) only pausing to watch & listen to visiting Mustangs.

He kindly gave me his business card & personalised a Pencil-art drawing of him & Mustang VF*T, dedicating the pic' to my wife (felt too embarrassed to aim it at me) especially after I'd read his book "Tumult In The Clouds" & been studying the 4th in general (being a big fan of Don Blakeslee) & living in the same county as the 'Debden Eagles'.

Just like everyone else on here, I'm just an enthusiast, but maybe a little bit older

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Hornchurch

Hi Aircrafty,



The last Lancaster (an MR.3) was retired on the 15th October 1956.....

Forgot to say That bit (above) came out of a book !!! (hence the

ACTUAL date).