Bomb Rack Assy Identification (Lancaster?)

[mhoeltken]

Hello,

I am new here and directly have a question. I have recently purchased a Hangar and some stuff and among the a bomb rack or drop tank assy. Google search of the numbers showed a classified ad on Avro Lancaster Aircraft Spares, Parts and Information linking this to an Avro Lancaster. However, I could not verify this and the attached fittings don't carry any further markings. I have limited access to UK literature though, but the Lancaster manuals on avialogs don't deem to verify the classified ad.

Does anyone here recognise the item and knows where it was probably installed?

Thank you very much,
Malte

I shoudl give you the complete text on the release, as it is not that easy to read on the angles:

Release No 1 Mk. 1
DRG No A1832 SHT1 Mod 7
Serial No VAC 27949
A/M Ref No 11A/3696

Again, Thank you very much.

 

[SaparotRob]

Welcome from Long Island, New York. I'm sure someone here might have some knowledge of the Lancaster.

 

[Crimea_River]

Welcome aboard. I don't know for sure but parts like that could sometimes be used on multiple types.

 

[mhoeltken]

Thank you very much for your input. Since I am not the usual collector of these things, what would you think would be a fair price if I wanted to sell this to a collector / enthusiast?

 

[Andymac53]

Here you go - this is a typical rack for 250 - 500lb bombs. It's pretty much the same idea of the 1000lb-ers. The part you have is one of the 'grabs' that straddles the bomb in the picture. The screws were adjusted to keep the bomb stable in the bomb bay. The piece in the centre of the piece you have was attached to the 'lug' on the top of the bomb and had an electric solenoid that would release the bomb when the bomb release button was pressed by the bombardier or the 'jettison' button controlled by the pilot.

This type of rack was not unique to the Lancaster - it was used, in one form or another, in most WW2 RAF bombers - as well as the underwing bombs on lighter aircraft such as the Spitfire.

 

[Steve Hnz]

I'm not seeing M mhoeltken 's device as being the same as A Andymac53 has shown above, similar but not identical. In my experience, British bomb carriers were usually based around a beam with bomb steadies at either end & the bomb attachment point/release about the middle of the beam. The device shown in the first post seem to have to steady screws & attachment/release(?) in the same plane. I'm uncertain that it is an attachment/release, the photos don't show the underside of the gizmo in the middle of it all clearly so I'm guessing a bit. I couldn't find anything that looked quite the same with a quick google search either.

 

[mhoeltken]

[...]. I'm uncertain that it is an attachment/release, the photos don't show the underside of the gizmo in the middle of it all clearly so I'm guessing a bit. I couldn't find anything that looked quite the same with a quick google search either.

I have just made some more pictures

 

[Wurger]

As memo serves the standard rack for a Lancaster was the bomb release unit Type N Mk.I A/M Ref. No. 11A/2557. The same unit was used for many other RAF planes.
Actually I have a doubt it is from the Lanc but it could be from a post war kite though. Anyway the Air Ministry number 11A indicates the air bomb gear part.

 

[MiTasol]

And the serial number VAC suggests a Vickers built component

This is the standard rack for the Lancs but they had special 4000 and 8000 pound racks as described in the manual - search for Avro Lancaster documents on this forum.