1:72 Avro Lancaster B.III (Special) The Dambusters (617 Squadron Operation Chastise 17 May 1943) Airfix Model Kit: A09007 £46.99

Specification

Scale: 1:72

Number of Parts: 265

Dimensions(mm): Length 302  x  Wingspan 432

Skill Level: 3

Flying Hours: 3

Humbrol Paint Required: 11, 24, 26, 29, 30, 33, 53, 56, 60, 61, 62, 78, 96, 98

Additional Info

While the Lancaster saw the vast majority of its service as a high altitude
night bomber attacking strategic targets deep within Germany, notably its
involvement in the battles of the Ruhr, Hamburg and Berlin, it was a daring
low-level raid that gave the Lancaster arguably its finest hour.

The Dam Busters raid, as it has since become known, was one the most famous
operations of the war.  Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the 19 specially
modified Lancaster bombers attacked the Mohne, Eder, Sorpe and Ennepe dams, with
the Mohne and Eder dams being breached.  This caused widespread destruction to
both the German war effort and to food production.

The dams were breached using a special type of bomb, the Upkeep mine, or
‘bouncing bomb’.  This was rotated before being dropped so that it skipped along
the surface before impacting against the dam, sinking and exploding, thus
rupturing the dam.  This avoided the need for a high altitude raid and avoided
the torpedo nets. The attack was a partial success but greatly improved the
morale of the Allies and the British public.