FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Would have, could have, should have - we beat this discussion to death a few years ago.AIUI the initial mods were to fit the aircraft to carry larger bombs and then the aircraft were specially lightened with higher performance engines:
Project Silverplate
Of course the Lancaster would benefit from a similar set of mods (to reduce armament and armour).
Could a Lancaster or Lincoln have carried and deliver a nuclear weapon?
Absolutely
Would it have been practical and a better platform as far as performance and safety?
NO
A 4 engine, liquid cooled, un pressurized tail dragger heavy bomber does not make a good nuke bomber IMO, and that's not taking anything away from the Lancaster (it was a great aircraft). The B-29 was a half a generation away from the Lancaster (and Lincoln) and when we throw the B-50 into the fray, the gap grows further. As history showed us, even the RAF eventually recognized the limitations of the Lancaster and Lincoln in the post war years.