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Re: Lancaster v Halifax or if you prefer, Halifax v Lancaster

Posted by Cees Broere on Thu Apr 10, 2003 11:57:41 AM

In reply top Re: Lancaster v Halifax or if you prefer, Halifax v Lancaster posted by Mike Henniger on Thu Apr 10, 2003 10:11:29 AM

I am not a technical expert but I do know that the basic wingthickness of the Halifax is greater that that of the Lanc. You only have to look at some head on drawings to see what I mean, apart from that the Merlin engine installation in the Halifax was designed to be fitted midwing as compared to the Lancasters which were underslung with the top of the nacelles almost at the centre of the wingprofile. The Halifax installation caused a lot of drag and together with the thicker wing had much more drag than the Lancaster.

Strangely the engine position on the Merlin Halifax was very suitable for fitting the Hercules (don't know why) with the resulting performance improvement. This could also be the reason why the Hercules installation in the Lancster was inferior as compared to the Merlin installation.

The Merlin installation in both aircraft have a certain grace while the Hercules has a raw and purposeful appearance. Guess which installation is my favourite?

By the way, FP magazine published a comparision of both aircraft types which was useless if you ask me because the two type cannot be compared but complemented each other.

Any other views?

Cees

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