Lancaster Bomb Load

[Finn]

Here is an interesting Lanc load, bombs and what looks like Cluster Projectile No. 3 - 4 7" flares:

 

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205457085

 

also note how weathered they all are.

 

Jari

[MikeC]

A pathfinder perhaps? It's a pity the info with the photo doesn't ID the squadron, that would have answered my question.

[Greif8]

I could be wrong but I think the bomb load shown is an area bombing raid configuration for bombing heavily industrilized cities.  The load was optimized for blast, demolition and fire and code named "Cookie/Plum/Duff".  The blast was provided by the 4000 lbs High Capacity (HC) "Cookie"; demolition bring accomplished by 3-4 1000 lbs Medium Capacity (MC) bombs (or 500 pounders for very long range missions) and finally fire was made using either 4 lbs or 30 lbs incendiaries loaded in Small Bomb Containers (SBC) of which up to six could be carried depending on range to target.

 

Ernest

[Finn]

It is a Pathfinder load, here is a listing from the 405 Squadron RCAF ORB which was part of the PPF:

 

https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c12270/107

 

the load is listed under the crew names. Note G has listed 9 x 1000lb MC bombs and 5 x cluster hooded flares which is what the Cluster Projectile No. 3 was. After the flares, and Target Indicators were dropped, they reverted back to bomber mode and dropped their bomb load. The SBC were containers which held various types of small bombs, in this pic a slightly muddy SBC with 4lb incendiaries being loaded:

 

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205448647

 

Jari

 

 

[Greif8]

Great research Finn!  I thought it might be the load I described above as the SBC's held a variety of different small bomb types.  The Cookie threw me off I guess!

 

Ernest

[John1]

Find myself impressed by the heavy load of bombs a Lanc could haul.  Especially compared to USAAF B-17's and 24's, which on some missions carried the same amount of bombs as an RAF Mosquito. 

[Finn]

Here are some mission reports giving mixed bomb and T.I. loads:

 

https://wallyswar.wordpress.com/97-squadron-2/

 

Jari

[MikeC]

On 12/27/2022 at 8:01 PM, Finn said:

Here are some mission reports giving mixed bomb and T.I. loads:

 

https://wallyswar.wordpress.com/97-squadron-2/

 

Jari

Thanks for that link Jari, very interesting, especially as the station mentioned (Bourn) is not far from my location, I've driven past it at least twice in the last month alone.