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Re: Max bomb loads to distances for BC 4 engine bombers
Merrick's Halifax book quotes ranges for different bombloads, and hence fuel loads, for each of the Halifax variants. There is something odd about the Mk.II values, in that the Series 1a is given significantly shorter ranges than the series 1, despite the former's much higher drag.
However, for the Mk.1
13000lb bombs, 955gals fuel, 220 retained as allowance, 1000mile range
8500lbs, 1552 gals (160gal Hampden tanks in fuselage). 1740 miles
7750lbs, 1640 gals (tanks in wing bomb cells), 1840 miles
1300lbs, 2330 gals (all auxiliary tanks), 2720 miles
Mk.II Series 1
13000lb, 985 gals, 210 allowance, 920 miles
6500lb, 1886 gals, 1900miles
-, 2576 gals, 2,650 miles
Mk.II Series 1a
13000lb, 830gals, 290 allowance, 650 miles
5250lb, 1882 gals, 1660 miles
1500lb, 2342gals, 2,100 miles
-, 2,572 gals (3 auxiliary tanks), 2320 miles
Mk.III wartime
13000lb, 1020gal, 220 allowance, 930 miles
7250lb, 1802gal, 1770 miles
-, 2492gal, 2430 miles
Mk.VI wartime
13000lb, 1090gal, 320 allowance, 970 miles
6300lb, 1982gals, 1965 miles
2500lb, 2442gal, 2490 miles
500lb, 2672gals, 2745 miles
Postwar saw the aircraft cleared to an additional 5t max. t/o weight, with considerable improvements in range.
For the Mk.II, optimum cruise outbound at 15000ft was 160(170) mph giving just less than 1.05 airmiles per gallon. I don't know why the two speeds are quoted, unless the faster speed applied to the Merlin 22 (Series 1a), in which case the am/g should improve too. Optimum cruise homeward at 15000ft was 1.21 am/g at 150(160) mph.
Climb to 15000 ft used 125 galls over 46 miles in rich mixture, or 180 galls over 115 miles in weak mixtures. Numbers estimated from coarse graph.
Similar information is available for the Stirling in Air Britain's The Stirling File, similarly for the Hampden, but I have not traced anything as detailed for the Lancaster or Wellington. But I don't have a lot on the Wellington, and have yet to browse Lancaster books other then the Air Britain File, which wasn't helpful.
Edited to correct Imperial measures (damn them!) Plus typing errors in edit.
PS Operating radius will be about one third the range.
Last edited by Graham Boak; 19th January 2008 at 23:12.
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