【蘭開斯特式轟炸機】二戰中出動次數最多，投彈量最多的轟炸機，炸沈德國不死戰艦的傳奇轟炸機【千機轟炸計劃】

1941年1月9日，BT308號原型機，裝四臺MerlinX發動機，使用Manchester的標準機身，在試飛員Roy Dodson的駕駛下升空。試飛證明：飛機的性能大幅度提高，尤其是在航程、升限、載彈量方面是Manchester所不能比擬的。5月，第二架原型機DG595試飛，增加了一對機身中部射擊孔和一個腹部炮塔；將雙垂尾的面積加大，取消了Manchester的中央垂尾；發動機使用MerlinXX（1280hp）。試飛後正式定名為Lancaster MKI，開始大規模製造。
二戰時期英國空軍的四引擎“曼徹斯特”III型原型機於1940年1月9日首飛，當即表現出良好的飛行品質和可靠性。隨後，新機型安裝了更大功率的“梅林”發動機，機首、機尾、背部和機腹都安裝了炮塔，增大了載油量，配置了自動充氣救生筏，並於1940年10月31日進行了試飛。由於新機型與早先的雙引擎型號區別極大，所以有必要重新命名，因而蘭開斯特轟炸機就此誕生了。由於其極其優異的性能，很多工廠都被用來生產“蘭開斯特”，使它的最終產量達到了7,734架。第一個裝備“蘭開斯特”的是第44（羅德西亞）轟炸機中隊，該中隊於1940年底接收了第一架飛機。
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On January 9, 1941, the prototype bt308, equipped with four merlinx engines and using the standard fuselage of Manchester, took off under the pilot Roy Dodson. The flight test shows that the performance of the aircraft has been greatly improved, especially in terms of range, ceiling and bomb load, which Manchester cannot compare. In May, the second prototype dg595 was tested, adding a pair of shooting holes in the middle of the fuselage and an abdominal turret; The area of double vertical tail is increased, and the central vertical tail of Manchester is cancelled; The engine uses merlinxx (1280hp). After the test flight, it was officially named Lancaster MKI and began large-scale manufacturing.

During World War II, the four engine Manchester III prototype of the British air force made its first flight on January 9, 1940, which immediately showed good flight quality and reliability. Subsequently, the new model was equipped with a more powerful "Merlin" engine, with turrets installed on the nose, tail, back and belly, increased oil load, equipped with automatic inflatable life raft, and conducted a test flight on October 31, 1940. Because the new model was very different from the previous twin engine model, it was necessary to rename it, so the Lancaster bomber was born. Due to its excellent performance, many factories are used to produce Lancaster, making its final output reach 7734. The first to equip Lancaster was the 44th (Rhodesia) Bomber Squadron, which received the first aircraft at the end of 1940.
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