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The Mighty Lancaster! Trivia Quiz

Some questions relating to the British heavy bomber, the Avro Lancaster. Good luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by Groundskeeper-Willy. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Groundskeeper-Willy

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
46,255

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
2329

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (9/10), Guest 47 (5/10), Guest 93 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The rather unsuccessful twin-engined medium bomber from which the Lancaster evolved was the Avro _____ ? Hint

Wellington

Whitley

Manchester

Hampden

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Question 2 of 10

2. The name of the man who was the Lancaster's Chief Designer was _____ ?

Answer: (Two words, or just surname)

3. Some statistical trivia: the crew of a Lancaster was normally 7. Pilot, Flight Engineer, Navigator, Wireless Operator , Bomb Aimer, Mid-upper Gunner, Rear Gunner. Which of these positions had the highest survival rate from Lancs which were 'downed'?

Answer: (1 in 7 chance, if you're guessing)

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Question 4 of 10

4. To the nearest percentage, how many Lancasters were lost in action? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. The largest conventional bomb used in World War 2 was first dropped from a specially modified 617 Squadron Lancaster on 14th March 1945. This type of bomb was named the _____ ? Hint

King Hit

Tall Boy

Grand Slam

Sucker Punch

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Question 6 of 10

6. 617 Squadron (The Dambusters): how does one pronounce that squadron's number title? Hint

six, one, seven

six hundred and seventeen

six, seventeen

six hundred and seventeenth

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Question 7 of 10

7. The last development variant of the Lancaster was the Avro _______ ? Hint

Nimrod

Lincoln

Shackleton

Sentry

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Question 8 of 10

8. Many Lancasters were delivered from the production line to their squadrons by pilots belonging to the ATA service. What did the letters ATA stand for?

Answer: (Three Words (careful with the spelling))

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Question 9 of 10

9. The most operational sorties flown by a Lancaster were carried out by ED 888. How many missions was she credited with? Hint

109

139

129

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Question 10 of 10

10. How many Lancasters were still flying at the start of the 21st century (December 2001)? Hint

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 29 2024 : Guest 174: 9/10
Sep 25 2024 : Guest 47: 5/10
Sep 10 2024 : Guest 93: 7/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The rather unsuccessful twin-engined medium bomber from which the Lancaster evolved was the Avro _____ ?

Answer: Manchester

The twin engined Avro Manchester was a disaster, underpowered and unstable in flight. The wingspan was lengthened, the two Vulture engines replaced by four Merlins, the tail assembly redsigned and with a few other changes, the Lancaster was born.

2. The name of the man who was the Lancaster's Chief Designer was _____ ?

Answer: Roy Chadwick

A highly talented aircraft designer, Chadwick was lost in a flying accident on 23rd August, 1941.

Answer: Bomb Aimer

More bomb-aimers survived downings than other positions, perhaps because their flight station was directly above an escape hatch in the nose.

4. To the nearest percentage, how many Lancasters were lost in action?

Answer: 53

Of the 7,377 Lancasters built, 3,932 were attributed lost in action. This totals (if my maths serves me right) 53.3 percent.

5. The largest conventional bomb used in World War 2 was first dropped from a specially modified 617 Squadron Lancaster on 14th March 1945. This type of bomb was named the _____ ?

Answer: Grand Slam

No. 617 Squadron dropped the first 22,000lb (9,980 kg) Grand Slam bomb on Bielefeld viaduct in Germany.

6. 617 Squadron (The Dambusters): how does one pronounce that squadron's number title?

Answer: six, one, seven

The RAF has a specific method of squadron name pronunciation. If the number has one digit it is pronounced as such, e.g. 'Nine' Squadron. If it contains two digits it is called that number, e.g. 'Forty-nine' Squadron. If it contains three digits then all three are pronounced individually, e.g. 'Six, One, Seven' Squadron.

7. The last development variant of the Lancaster was the Avro _______ ?

Answer: Shackleton

The Avro Shackelton was a development of the Lincoln, in turn, a development of the Lancaster. It was used for maritime reconaissance and was the last RAF combat aircraft powered by piston engines. It was finally replaced by the Boeing E-3 Sentry in 1991!

8. Many Lancasters were delivered from the production line to their squadrons by pilots belonging to the ATA service. What did the letters ATA stand for?

Answer: Air Transport Auxiliary

166 of the 1,318 ATA pilots who ferried every type of aircraft from factory to duty were women. One of these gallant ladies stated that the Lancaster was a 'rather dull and characterless flying machine!' Which is one of the best recommendations for its flying characteristics one could hope for.

9. The most operational sorties flown by a Lancaster were carried out by ED 888. How many missions was she credited with?

Answer: 139

This Lanc really defied the odds to complete these many missions. Sadly the old bird was unceremoniously scrapped on 8 January 1947.

10. How many Lancasters were still flying at the start of the 21st century (December 2001)?

Answer: 2

Only two Lancs were still airworthy and flying in December 2001. One, (PA 474) belonging to the Battle of Britain Flight of the RAF and the other (FM 213) is with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

Source: Author Groundskeeper-Willy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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