Along with the Spitfire and Hurricane, the Avro Lancaster is probably the best known of Britain's WWII aircraft. It was this plane along with the Halifax, that truly carried  Britain's night bombing campaign to the Germans during that war.

Surprisingly, and much of this thanks to its post war usefulness, there are over a dozen aircraft still surviving in museums today. Some of these are silent static displays, some are functional though not flying, a couple are airborne from time to time and some are in the process of restoration.

This new book from Mushroom Model Publications looks at all seventeen extant airframes. It provides a basic history of each aircraft and how it came to be where it is. It probably isn't surprising that the majority of these planes were build in 1945 and did not see operational use during the war. These planes survived because they were low airframe hours aircraft and were able to see post-war use with either Canada or France. Indeed, those aircraft currently in Australia, New Zealand and France were ex-French Navy aircraft while most of those in the Canada, Great Britain and the US were ex RCAF planes. with many of the Canadian planes being removed from poles and outdoor display prior to restoration.

Each section on an aircraft has a photo of it as it was in service or as it was found and then there are many pages of the plane as it is today and/or while it was undergoing restoration. These images are, for the most part, in full color. The interior images are probably the most interesting as some have been restored to WWII standards or as near to them as possible, while others have been left as they were when procured and some have been modified for seating or are still somewhat vandalized. 

In all, it is a superb look at these old veterans and is an absolute must read for any Lancanster or war bird enthusiast.

October 2010

Many thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for providing the review copy. Your support is appreciated. MMP books are available from Casemate Publishing in the US and Platypus Publications in Australia.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.