The Lancaster was designed ,built and flown as Primarily a HEAVY BOMBER, crew of 7, eventual Max Bomb Capacity some 21,000lbs(imperial), Defensive Armament was .303 which were preferred by the Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) Air Gunners as Reliable and very accurate at close quarters, as opposed to Cannons which although had a greater range were very prone to Jamming and were Inaccurate. An American Flyer when given an introduction to the Lancaster asked where was the 'John' the reply was a 'Bucket behind that Curtain' and if we have to take evasive action you may have to wear IT!. The American also commented on how Cramped it was inside the Fuselage... "That is because the Lancaster was designed purposely as a Heavy Bomber and NOT a Flying Hotel with all mod cons". The Tail End Charlie (Rear Gunner) was isolated in his Turret for the full flight on average 7 hours at often -20 which is the temp you keep Ice Cream at in your Freezer. To save space and weight the R.A.F. Crews elected to remove the Lower and Mid Upper Turrets thereby relying solely on the Nose and Rear Turrets plus defensive maneuvers directed by Tail End Charlie in a rear attack. The Americans did not want to take on Night Flying which the R.A.F. were well experienced at before America entered WW2 in late 1942. The B17 had Heaps of Cannons and Ammunition but could only for sorties into Germany carry some 4,000lbs of Bombs, the Me109's tore the B 17 Fortress apart. The D.H. Mosquito was a two engined Multi role aircraft with a Crew of 2(Pilot and Navigator) it could fly Further, Faster and Higher that the B 17 with a 4,000lbd Bomb, plus NO GUNS due to it being faster that any German plane.
The Lancaster was designed ,built and flown as Primarily a HEAVY BOMBER, crew of 7, eventual Max Bomb Capacity some 21,000lbs(imperial), Defensive Armament was .303 which were preferred by the Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) Air Gunners as Reliable and very accurate at close quarters, as opposed to Cannons which although had a greater range were very prone to Jamming and were Inaccurate. An American Flyer when given an introduction to the Lancaster asked where was the 'John' the reply was a 'Bucket behind that Curtain' and if we have to take evasive action you may have to wear IT!. The American also commented on how Cramped it was inside the Fuselage... "That is because the Lancaster was designed purposely as a Heavy Bomber and NOT a Flying Hotel with all mod cons".
The Tail End Charlie (Rear Gunner) was isolated in his Turret for the full flight on average 7 hours at often -20 which is the temp you keep Ice Cream at in your Freezer.
To save space and weight the R.A.F. Crews elected to remove the Lower and Mid Upper Turrets thereby relying solely on the Nose and Rear Turrets plus defensive maneuvers directed by Tail End Charlie in a rear attack. The Americans did not want to take on Night Flying which the R.A.F. were well experienced at before America entered WW2 in late 1942.
The B17 had Heaps of Cannons and Ammunition but could only for sorties into Germany carry some 4,000lbs of Bombs, the Me109's tore the B 17 Fortress apart.
The D.H. Mosquito was a two engined Multi role aircraft with a Crew of 2(Pilot and Navigator) it could fly Further, Faster and Higher that the B 17 with a 4,000lbd Bomb, plus NO GUNS due to it being faster that any German plane.