The first order placed was for a total of 300 aircraft. The assigned serial numbers were KB-700 through KB- 999. These Canadian Lancasters were delivered between September 1943 and March 1945. They were designated MK X’s.
The Lancasters with serial numbers KB 700 through KB 774 were fitted with Packard-built Rolls Royce Merlin 38 engines. All subsequent aircraft were fitted with Merlin 224’s. The second order placed was for 200 aircraft although only 130 were built. Their serial numbers were assigned from FM 100 through FM 229 and were delivered between April 1945 and August 1945. None of the 430 aircraft were lost while being tested at Malton. Almost all of the Mk X’s were ferried to England and none were lost in transit.
There were some differences between the British built Lancasters and the Canadian built versions. The engines were to be of the same design, but manufactured by Packard in the United States. All instruments and radio equipment were to be of Canadian or American manufacture. However, it was deemed essential that all major sub-assemblies of the Canadian Lancasters be interchangeable with the British versions so that in the event of damage, spare parts would not have to be sent across the Atlantic.
Assembly Line at Malton’s Victory Aircraft in full production. Victory Aircraft. Photo courtesy of Bill and June Longhouse
Major changes were made beginning with KB-855. The U.S. built, electrically powered Martin mid-upper turret with two .50 calibre machine guns replaced the Fraser-Nash mid-uppers. As well, ‘4000 pound’ bomb bay doors replaced the ‘8,000 pound’ doors of earlier aircraft. These had enabled the aircraft to carry larger bombs and gave the Lancaster a somewhat pregnant appearance. The possibility of having a mid-under gun turret was eliminated and H2S radar was installed below the fuselage. The changes to accommodate the Martin turret were extensive as the location of the turret had to be moved forward and necessitated changes to the rear centre section. The capacity of the electrical system had to be increased and the ammunition supply system had to be changed. Also the former mid- upper turret hydraulic system was eliminated.
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