The first Manchester prototype, model L7246, took to the skies for the first time on July 25th, 1939. This aircraft was followed by a second prototype going airborne on May 26th, 1940. As mentioned above, the early Manchester sported a central tail fin, giving the aircraft a unique appearance in sporting three such surfaces. The Manchester entered production in this form as the Manchester Mk I model series but was delivered in only 20 such examples. Mk I aircraft joined No. 207 Squadron in November of 1940. Its first mission came about on February 24th, 1941. Manchester Mk IA's soon followed and were delivered in 200 total examples. These particular Manchesters differed in that they had their central tail fins removed in favor of enlarging the remaining two tail fins. In this form, the Manchester would be most oft-remembered.
At the height of its operational use, the Manchester formed at least eight bomber squadrons and was utilized by RAF Coastal Command as well. The last Manchester mission was recorded on June 25th, 1942. Production ended almost as soon as it had begun, wrapping up in November of 1941.
The Manchester II appeared as a proposed and improved model version of the Manchester series. These Manchester would have sported twin Bristol Centaurus or Napier Sabre engines to make up for the deficiencies inherent in the selected Rolls-Royce Vulture brand engines used in production Manchesters. Unfortunately for the Manchester and Avro, this model series was never produced.
A single Manchester Mk I was pulled aside to undergo a conversion to a new Manchester III standard. This new model design (BT308) featured a greater wingspan incorporating the power of four engines but still retaining the three vertical tail surfaces of the original Manchester. First flight of the recently-dubbed "Lancaster" aircraft was achieved on January 9th, 1941. A follow-up model, the DG595, was debuted shortly thereafter and featured the enlarged twin vertical tail fins of the Manchester IA. This "Manchester III" would essentially become the prototype model of the war winning Avro Lancaster series of multi-engine heavy bombers.
Canada became the only other Manchester operator during its short-lived service life. In all, the Manchester was a failed project in itself but the evolution of the system produced the fabulous Lancaster bomber series which formed the backbone of RAF bomber groups for the duration of the war. Lancasters went on to see production totals of over 7,300 examples with the last operational use of the type ending in 1963 under Canadian control. To that end, at the very least, the Manchester design was vindicated.
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