View source for Avro Lincoln

{{Short description|British four-engined heavy bomber in service 1945-1963}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= Lincoln
 |image= File:Avro Lincoln ExCC.jpg
 |image_border= yes
 |caption= The only Canadian-built Avro Lincoln
 |type= [[Heavy bomber]]
 |national_origin= United Kingdom
 |manufacturer= [[Avro|A V Roe]] (168)
 |builder= [[Metropolitan-Vickers]] (80) <br> [[Armstrong Whitworth]] (281)
 |designer=
 |first_flight= 9 June 1944<ref name = "mat kit gra 58"/>
 |introduction= 1945
 |retired= 1961 [[Royal Australian Air Force]]<br> 1963 [[Royal Air Force]]<br>1967 [[Argentine Air Force]]
 |status= Retired
 |primary_user= [[Royal Air Force]]
 |more_users= [[Argentine Air Force]]<br>[[Royal Australian Air Force]]
 |produced= <!--years in production, e.g. 1970-1999, if still in active use but no longer built-->
 |number_built= 604<ref name = "mat kit gra 58">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 58.</ref>
 |unit cost=
 |developed_from= [[Avro Lancaster]]
 |variants=
 |developed_into= [[Avro Shackleton]]<br>[[Avro Tudor]]
}}

The '''Avro Type 694 Lincoln''' is a British four-engined [[heavy bomber]], which [[maiden flight|first flew]] on 9 June 1944. Developed from the [[Avro Lancaster]], the first Lincoln variants were initially known as the '''Lancaster IV''' and '''V'''; these were renamed '''Lincoln I''' and '''II'''. It was the last [[reciprocating engine|piston-engined]] bomber operated by the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF); the later [[Avro Shackleton]], though piston-engined, served in maritime patrol rather than bomber roles.

The Lincoln attained operational status in August 1945. It had been initially assigned to units of the [[Tiger Force (air)|Tiger Force]], a [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] heavy bomber force which had been intended to play a role in the [[Japan campaign]] in the closing stages of the [[World War II|Second World War]], but the war ended before the Lincoln could participate. Production of the type proceeded and the type was adopted in quantity, complementing and progressively replacing the Lancaster in RAF service during the late 1940s.

The Lincoln was deployed on operations during the 1950s. RAF squadrons equipped with the type fought against [[guerrilla]] fighters during the [[Mau Mau Uprising]] in Kenya; the RAF and the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) also operated the Lincoln during the [[Malayan Emergency]]. The type also saw significant peacetime service with the RAF, RAAF and the [[Argentine Air Force]]. Lincolns were also operated in civil aviation, including use as aerial test beds for aero-engine research.

In RAF service, the Lincoln was replaced by a new generation of bombers using [[jet propulsion]]. In 1967 the last Lincoln bombers in service, in Argentina, were retired.

==Design and development==
===Origins===

The Avro Lincoln originated from a design produced by [[Roy Chadwick]] as a development of the earlier Lancaster bomber which had been produced with the purpose of conforming with the requirements of the Specification B.14/43.<ref name = "delve 248"/><ref name = "mat kit gra 58 59">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 58–59.</ref> Known initially as the ''Lancaster IV'' and ''Lancaster V'', the envisioned aircraft, while considerably similar to the Lancaster, had numerous improvements such as the adoption of stronger, longer span, higher [[Aspect ratio (wing)|aspect ratio]] (10.30 compared with 8.02) wings, and two-stage [[Supercharger|supercharged]] [[Rolls-Royce Merlin]] 85 engines fitted within [[Power-egg#United Kingdom|Universal Power Plant]] (UPP) installations.<ref name = "delve 248 249"/><ref name = "mat kit gra 58 59"/> The new bomber also had an enlarged fuselage that accommodated increased fuel and bomb loads and allowed up to 11 tons of various armaments and equipment fittings, including the [[Grand Slam (bomb)|Grand Slam]] bomb, to be carried. It had a higher operational ceiling and longer range than the Lancaster, with a maximum altitude of {{cvt|35,000|ft|mi km}} and a maximum range of {{convert|4,450|mi|km}}.<ref>Nathan, Stuart. [http://www.theengineer.co.uk/aerospace/in-depth/february-1946-the-last-of-the-piston-engined-bombers/1019828.article "February 1946: the last of the piston-engined bombers."] ''The Engineer'', 4 February 2015.</ref><ref name = "delve 248 249">Delve 2005, pp. 248–249.</ref>

[[File:Avro 694 Lincoln B.2 RF342 CRFD 15.10.66 edited-3.jpg|thumb|Royal Air Force Lincoln B.2 used by [[Napier & Son|Napier's]] for icing research work until 1967 (1966)]]
The prototype Lancaster IV, later renamed the ''Lincoln I'', was assembled by Avro's experimental flight department at [[Manchester]]'s [[Ringway Airport]].<ref name = "mat kit gra 59">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 59.</ref> According to aviation author Kev Delve, development of the Lincoln had proceeded relatively smoothly.<ref name = "delve 248"/> On 9 June 1944, the prototype conducted its [[maiden flight]] from Ringway Airport.<ref name = "delve 249">Delve 2005, p. 249.</ref><ref>Scholefield 1998, p. 37.</ref> Testing of the prototype quickly proved it to have favourable flight characteristics.<ref name = "mat kit gra 59"/> In February 1945 the first production Lincoln was completed.<ref name = "mat kit gra 59"/>

The type was mainly produced at Avro's [[Woodford, Cheshire]] and [[Chadderton]] Lancashire factories; additional aircraft were also constructed by [[Armstrong Whitworth]] at their Coventry facilities. Separate production lines were also established in Canada and Australia, although, as a consequence of the end of the war, production in Canada was halted after only a single aircraft had been constructed. Lincolns were manufactured in Australia and operated by the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF).

From early 1945 the British Government set about restoring the country to a peacetime stance, with drastic reductions to the armed forces including the disbanding of many squadrons of the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF).<ref name = "delve 248">Delve 2005, p. 248.</ref> A new emphasis was soon placed on 'quality over quantity' during the rationalisation process, seeking to employ fewer but more capable aircraft to perform their envisioned roles; while there was no longer any urgency in bringing new types of aircraft into service, limited procurement of equipment that fell within this ethos did proceed.<ref name = "delve 248"/> In accordance with this aim, the British [[Air Ministry]] proceeded to formulate and release [[List of Air Ministry Specifications|Specification B.14/43]], which sought an improved piston-engined [[heavy bomber]] to replace the wartime four-engine bombers, the [[Short Stirling]], the [[Handley Page Halifax]], and the [[Avro Lancaster]].<ref name = "delve 248"/>

===Further development===
One Lincoln B Mk XV pattern aircraft was completed in Canada by [[Victory Aircraft]]; a follow-up order for a total of six RCAF variants was cancelled shortly following the end of hostilities.<ref>[http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/equip/hst/lincoln-eng.asp "Avro Lincoln."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205222646/http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/equip/hst/lincoln-eng.asp |date=5 December 2010 }} ''airforce.forces.gc.ca.'' Retrieved: 30 August 2010.</ref> Along with two additional Lincoln (Mk I and Mk II) aircraft on loan from the RAF, the type was briefly evaluated postwar by the RCAF.<ref>[http://rcaf.com/Aircraft/aircraftDetail.php?LINCOLN-60 "Avro Lincoln."] ''Royal Canadian Air Force'', Retrieved: 30 August 2010.</ref> The Lancaster V/Lincoln II differed mainly in that it was fitted with Merlin 68A engines.

Prior to the Lincoln being developed, the Australian government had already formulated plans for its [[Department of Aircraft Production]] (DAP), later known as the Government Aircraft Factory (GAF), to construct the earlier Lancaster Mk III. In its place, it was decided to proceed with manufacturing a variant of the Lincoln I, re-designated the Lincoln Mk 30, to replace the [[Consolidated Liberator]]s. This model was manufactured between 1946 and 1949, and is the largest aircraft ever constructed in Australia.<ref name= "Jackson p. 412">Jackson 1990, p. 412.</ref> Orders for a total of 85 Mk 30 Lincolns were placed by the RAAF, although only 73 were produced.<ref name="A73 Avro Lincoln">{{Cite web|url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFMuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A73.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802093221/http://www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFMuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A73.htm|archive-date=2 August 2008|title=A73 Avro Lincoln|publisher=RAAF Museum, Point Cook|year=2007}}</ref><ref name = "mat kit gra 60 61">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 60–61.</ref>
[[File:AvroLincolnA73-20.jpg|thumb|left|Lincoln ''A73-20'' during a test flight. Both starboard engines have their propeller blades [[Propeller (aeronautics)#Feathering|feathered]]]]
The first five Australian examples (''A73–1'' to ''A73–5''), were assembled at [[Fishermans Bend]] using a large proportion of imported British-made components. On 17 March 1946, ''A73-1'' conducted its début flight; the first entirely Australian-built Lincoln, ''A73-6'', was formally delivered in November 1946. The Mk 30 initially used four Merlin 85 engines, this arrangement was later changed to a combination of two outboard Merlin 66s and two inboard Merlin 85s. A further improved later version, designated Lincoln Mk 30A, had  four Merlin 102s.

During the 1950s, the RAAF heavily modified some of their Mk 30 aircraft to perform [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW) missions, re-designating them ''Lincoln GR.Mk 31''. These examples had a {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} longer nose to house [[Acoustics|acoustic]] [[submarine]] detection gear and its operators, larger fuel tanks to provide the aircraft with a 13-hour flight [[Combat endurance|endurance]], and a modified bomb bay to accommodate [[torpedo]]es.<ref name = "mat kit gra 61">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 61.</ref> According to pilot feedback, the Lincoln Mk 31 was particularly difficult to land at night, as the bomber had a tailwheel undercarriage and the long nose obstructed the pilot's view of the runway. In 1952, 18 aircraft were rebuilt to this standard, and were reallocated new serial numbers accordingly.<ref name= "Jackson p. 412"/>{{Dubious |GR.31|reason=No evidence that Lincolns were re-serials and A73-59 to A73-73 were built as GRs on the production line rather then being rebuilt|date=April 2017}} Ten were subsequently upgraded to the MR.Mk 31 standard, which included  an updated radar.<ref name="World Aircraft Information Files">''World Aircraft Information Files'', 1997.</ref>

Further aircraft were also derived from the Lincoln. A dedicated [[maritime patrol aircraft]], designated the [[Avro Shackleton]], was developed for the RAF and the [[South African Air Force]] (SAAF). Additionally, Avro decided to develop a commercial airliner, known as the [[Avro Tudor|Tudor]], which harnessed elements of the Lincoln, such as its wings, in combination with various new elements, such as the adoption of a [[Cabin pressurization|pressurised fuselage]], to perform passenger operations.

==Operational history==

===Royal Air Force===
[[File:Avro Lincoln of 1 SQN RAAF at RAF Tengah in 1950.jpg|thumb|Lineup of the first operation of [[No. 1 Squadron RAAF|No. 1 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force]] at [[RAF Tengah]], Singapore, August 1950]]
During 1945, the RAF received its first Lincoln, which was delivered to [[No. 57 Squadron RAF|No. 57 Squadron]] based at [[RAF East Kirkby]], [[Lincolnshire]]. In August 1945, [[No. 75 Squadron RNZAF|No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron]] began to re-equip with the Lincoln at [[RAF Spilsby]], Lincolnshire. However, No. 75 (NZ) Sqn had received just three aircraft prior to [[VJ Day]], and was disbanded quickly thereafter.<ref name = "mat kit gra 59"/>

During the postwar climate, the Lincoln quickly equipped the bomber squadrons of the RAF. Nearly 600 Lincolns were constructed to equip a total of 29 RAF squadrons, the majority of which were based in the United Kingdom. They were supplemented and partially replaced by 88 [[List of B-29 Superfortress operators#United Kingdom|Boeing Washingtons]], on loan from the [[USAF]], which had longer range and could reach targets inside the [[Iron Curtain]].<ref name = "mat kit gra 59 60">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 59–60.</ref> Small numbers remained in use with Nos 7, 83 and 97 Squadrons until the end of 1955, at which point the type was phased out, having been replaced by the first of the [[V bombers]].

During the 1950s, RAF Lincolns participated in operations in [[Kenya]] against [[Mau-Mau]] insurgents. During this action, they were operated from [[Moi Air Base|Eastleigh]]. The Lincoln was also deployed to [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]] during the [[Malayan Emergency]], where it was used against insurgents aligned to the [[Malayan Communist Party]]. In Malayan theatre, RAF Lincolns were operated from [[Changi Air Base]] and [[Tengah Air Base]]. In excess of 3,000 sorties were flown during their {{frac|7|1|2}}-year deployment, during which half a million pounds of bombs dropped, 85 per cent of the total bomb tonnage dropped during the Malayan emergency.<ref name="World Aircraft Information Files"/>

[[File:RAAF Avro Lincoln dropping bombs over Malaya, 1954.jpg|thumb|RAAF Lincoln bomber dropping {{cvt|500|lb|kg}} bombs on communist targets during the [[Malayan Emergency]], c. 1954]]
On 12 March 1953, an RAF Lincoln (''RF531'' "C") of [[Central Gunnery School]] [[1953 Avro Lincoln shootdown incident|was shot down]] 20&nbsp;mi (32&nbsp;km) NE of [[Lüneburg]], Germany by several [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15s]] as it flew to [[Berlin]] on a radar reconnaissance flight,<ref name="spyflight.co.uk">{{Cite web |url=http://www.spyflight.co.uk/linc.htm |title=Home |access-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823064840/http://www.spyflight.co.uk/linc.htm |archive-date=23 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> killing the seven crew members.

In November 1955, four Lincolns of [[No. 7 Squadron RAF]] were detached for duties in British territories in the Middle East. In [[Bahrain]], they carried out border patrols of the then [[Trucial States]] at the time of the [[Buraimi dispute]]. When 7 Sqn was disbanded in December 1955, the four detached crews and aircraft became [[No. 1426 Flight RAF]], officially a photographic reconnaissance unit. It was later sent to [[Aden]], carrying out patrols in the lead-up to the [[Aden Emergency]].

As the RAF Lincolns became unserviceable, primarily due to progressive wear and tear, they were replaced by a variety of jet-powered aircraft. The Lincolns of Bomber Command were phased out from the mid-1950s and had been completely replaced by jet bombers by 1963. The last Lincolns in RAF service were five operated by No. 151 Squadron, Signals Command, at [[RAF Watton]], [[Norfolk]], which were retired on 12 March 1963.<ref>Jackson 1990, p. 406.</ref><ref>[http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/avro-lincoln-b2/ "Avro Lincoln B2."] ''Royal Air Force Museum'', Retrieved: 3 March 2015.</ref><ref name = "mat kit gra 60"/>

===Royal Australian Air Force===
From late 1946, Australian-built Lincolns were phased into [[No. 82 Wing RAAF|No. 82 Wing]], based at [[RAAF Base Amberley]], [[Ipswich, Queensland]]. The type quickly replaced the Liberator bombers that had been operated by [[No. 12 Squadron RAAF|12]], [[No. 21 Squadron RAAF|21]] and [[No. 23 Squadron RAAF|23]] Squadrons. In February 1948, these units were renumbered [[No. 1 Squadron RAAF|1]], [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|2]] and [[No. 6 Squadron RAAF|6]] Squadrons respectively; a fourth RAAF Lincoln squadron, [[No. 10 Squadron RAAF|No. 10]] was formed on 17 March 1949 at [[RAAF Townsville]] as a reconnaissance unit.

During the 1950s, RAAF Lincolns participated in combat operations in Malaya, operating alongside RAF examples. The RAAF based the B.Mk 30s of No.1 Squadron at Tengah, for the duration of operations in Malaya.<ref name="World Aircraft Information Files"/>

These Lincolns served with 10 Squadron RAAF at [[RAAF Base Townsville]], [[Garbutt, Queensland]]; the discovery of [[corrosion]] in the wing spars led to the type's premature retirement in 1961. The Lincoln MR.Mk 31 was the final variant to see service in Australia.<ref name="World Aircraft Information Files"/><ref name = "mat kit gra 61"/>

===Argentine Air Force===

[[File:AvroLinconB2VI.jpg|alt=Avro Lincoln|thumb|''Argentine Air Force'' Lincoln B.2, preserved at the "[[Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina|National Aeronautics Museum]]", Argentina]]
From 1947, the Lincoln bomber served with the ''Fuerza Aerea Argentina''; Argentina had procured a total of 30 Lincolns, eighteen newly built and twelve ex-RAF aircraft, and 15 secondhand Lancasters.<ref name="Jacksonavro p409"/><ref>Marino et al. 2001, p. 65.</ref> The adoption of the Lincoln effectively gave Argentina the most powerful bombing force in South America.<ref name="Marino 2 p37">Marino et al. 2002, p. 37.</ref> In 1947, the type entered service with ''I Grupo de Bombardeo'' of ''V Brigada Aérea''. At the beginning of 1965, eleven of these remained in operational use; most of them were retired during the next year. In 1967 the last Lincolns were retired.<ref name="Marino 2 p41">Marino et al. 2002, p. 41.</ref><ref name = "mat kit gra 60">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 60.</ref>

The Argentine aircraft were used in bombing missions against domestic rebels. Lincolns were deployed during an attempted military [[coup]] in September 1951; the type was also used by both the government and rebel forces during the 1955 ''[[Revolución Libertadora]]'' coup which deposed Argentine President [[Juan Perón]].<ref name="Marino 2 p40-1">Marino et al. 2002, pp. 40–41.</ref><ref name = "mat kit gra 60"/>

Argentine Lincolns were also used to conduct supply [[airdrop]]s in support of Argentine operations in the [[Antarctic]] region.<ref name="Marino 2 p39">Marino et al. 2002, p. 39.</ref> In 1948, one of the bombers was returned to Avro for modification at [[RAF Langar]] in [[Nottinghamshire]] to allow it to operate these Antarctic support flights; the changes included the addition of [[Avro Lancastrian|Lancastrian]] nose and tail cones, additional fuel tanks, and removal of armament; the aircraft became the first Avro Lincolnian.<ref name="Jacksonavro p409">Jackson 1990, p. 409.</ref><ref name="aeroespacio" /> With these modifications the aircraft received a civilian registration and was named ''Cruz del Sur''; it undertook its first aerial supply flight to the Antarctic [[San Martín Base]] in December 1951.<ref name="aeroespacio">[http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/index.php/fuerza-aerea/item/466-a-60-a%C3%B1os-de-la-operaci%C3%B3n-enlace.html "A 61-year Operation Link, the first FAA flight over Antarctica."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109034331/http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/index.php/fuerza-aerea/item/466-a-60-a%C3%B1os-de-la-operaci%C3%B3n-enlace.html |date=9 January 2013 }} ''aeroespacio'', Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.asociacionatta.com.ar/aviones/avion27.htm "Avro 694 Lincoln modificado Cruz del Sur."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175347/http://www.asociacionatta.com.ar/aviones/avion27.htm |date=23 September 2015 }} ''asociacionatta.com.'' Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref>

==Use in aero-engine research==
[[File:Rolls-Royce Tyne Avro Lincoln Farnborough 1956.jpg|thumb|Avro Lincoln testbed G-37-1 at the Farnborough SBAC Show in 1956, flying solely on its nose-mounted Rolls-Royce Tyne]]

Lincolns were frequently employed as [[testbed]]s in new [[jet engine]] development. ''RF403'', ''RE339/G'' and ''SX972'' flew with a pair of [[Armstrong Siddeley Python]] [[turboprop]]s outboard in place of the Merlins, and was used for the ballistic casing drop-test programme for the [[Blue Danube (nuclear weapon)|Blue Danube]] atomic weapon.<ref>''The National Archives,'' London, file ES 1/44.</ref> ''SX972'' was further modified to fly with a pair of [[Bristol Proteus]] turboprops. ''RA716/G'' had a similarly placed pair of [[Bristol Theseus]] turboprops and later also flew with [[Rolls-Royce Avon]] [[turbojet]]s replacing the pair of turboprops. Lincoln Test Bed ''RF530'' kept its Merlins but had a [[Napier Naiad]] turboprop in the nose. It later flew, bearing the civilian [[United Kingdom aircraft test serials|"Class B" test registration]] ''G-37-1'', with a similarly placed [[Rolls-Royce Tyne]] which it displayed at the 1956 [[Society of British Aircraft Constructors]] (SBAC) show, making a low level flypast on just the nose Tyne, the four Merlins being shut down and propellers feathered.<ref>[http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/CollierMaurice/4610.htm "No. 4610. Avro 694 Lincoln B. Mk. II (G-37-1)."] ''Maurice Collier Collection.'' Retrieved: 26 December 2009.</ref>''SX973'' had a [[Napier Nomad]] [[diesel engine|diesel]] [[turbo-compound engine|turbo-compound]] installed in a similar nose-mounted installation.<ref>Grant 2003</ref> ''RA643'' flew with a [[Bristol Phoebus]] turbojet in the bomb bay, and ''SX971'' had an afterburning [[Rolls-Royce Derwent]] mounted ventrally.<ref>Franks 2000, pp. 97–99.</ref>

==Commercial service==
A pair of Lincoln IIs were operated by [[Napier & Son|D. Napier & Son Ltd.]] for icing research from 1948 to 1962. A transport conversion of the Lincoln II, using the streamlined nose and tail cones of the Lancastrian and a ventral cargo pannier was known as the '''Avro 695 Lincolnian'''.<ref name = "mat kit gra 61"/>

One '''Lincoln Freighter''' Mk.2  G-ALPF, former RAF RE290, converted by Airflight Ltd. was used on the [[Berlin Air Lift]] by Surrey Flying Services Ltd.<ref name = "mat kit gra 61"/>

Four Lincolnian conversions by Field Aircraft Services for use as meat haulers in Paraguay were not delivered, and subsequently scrapped.<ref name = "mat kit gra 61"/>

==Variants==
;Avro Type 694
:Prototypes to Air Ministry Specification 14/43, three-built
;Lincoln I
:Long-range bomber version for the RAF. Powered by four 1,750&nbsp;hp (1,305&nbsp;kW) Rolls-Royce Merlin 85 inline piston engines.<ref name = "mat kit gra 63">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 63.</ref>
;Lincoln II
:Long-range bomber version for the RAF. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin 66, 68A and 300 inline piston engines. Built by Avro, Armstrong-Whitworth and Vickers-Metropolitan.<ref name = "mat kit gra 63 64">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 63–64.</ref>
;Lincoln III
:The Lincoln III was intended to be a maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The aircraft later became the [[Avro Shackleton]].<ref name = "mat kit gra 64">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 64.</ref>
;Lincoln IV
:Lincoln II converted to Merlin 85 power.<ref name = "mat kit gra 64"/>
;Lincoln U.5
:Lincoln II converted to drone aircraft, only two aircraft modified.<ref>Franks 2000, p. 88.</ref>
;Lincoln Mk 15 (B Mk XV)
:This designation was given to one aircraft, built by [[Victory Aircraft]] in Canada.<ref name = "mat kit gra 65">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 65.</ref>
;Lincoln Mk 30
:Long-range bomber version for the RAAF.<ref name = "mat kit gra 65"/>
;Lincoln Mk 30A
:Long-range bomber version for the RAAF, fitted with a longer nose and Australian manufactured Merlin 102s.<ref name = "mat kit gra 65"/>
;Lincoln Mk 31 (GR 31)
:General reconnaissance version of Mk.30 for the RAAF, fitted with a longer nose.<ref name="Wilson">Wilson 1994, p. 216.</ref><ref name = "mat kit gra 65"/> Four Rolls-Royce Merlin 85 or 1,650 h.p. Merlin 102 powerplants.
;Lincoln MR 31
:Anti-submarine warfare/maritime reconnaissance version of Mk 31 for the RAAF.<ref name="Wilson" />
;Avro 695 Lincolnian
:Transport derivative similar to the [[Avro Lancastrian]]
;Lincoln ASR.3
:Initial designation of the [[Avro Shackleton]], which was based on the Lincoln.

==Operators==
[[File:Avro lincoln desfile.jpg|thumb|Several Argentinian Lincoln bombers flying in close formation, circa 1950]]
[[File:2 Sqn and 6 Sqn RAAF Avro Lincolns in 1953.jpg|thumb|A formation of nine Australian Lincolns, 1953]]
;{{ARG}}
* [[Argentine Air Force]]
** I Grupo de Bombardeo of V Brigada Aerea.
** Fuerza Aerea de Tareas Antarticas (FATA)
;{{AUS}}
* [[Royal Australian Air Force]] – 54 Avro Lincolns were in service with the RAAF from 1946 to 1961.<ref name="Wilson" />
** [[No. 1 Squadron RAAF]]
** [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF]]
** [[No. 6 Squadron RAAF]]
** [[No. 10 Squadron RAAF]]
** [[No. 12 Squadron RAAF]] (redesignated No. 1 Squadron in 1948)
** [[Heavy Bomber Crew Conversion Unit RAAF]]
** [[Lincoln Conversion Flight RAAF]]

;{{flag|Canada|1921}}
* [[Royal Canadian Air Force]]
** Three Avro Lincolns were in service with the RCAF from 1946 to 1948.

;{{UK}}
* [[Royal Air Force]]
** [[No. 7 Squadron RAF]] 1949–55 at [[RAF Upwood]].<ref name = "delve 251">Delve 2005, p. 251.</ref>
** [[No. 9 Squadron RAF]] 1946–52 at [[RAF Binbrook]], then converted to the [[English Electric Canberra]].<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 12 Squadron RAF]] 1946–52 at RAF Binbrook and [[RAF Hemswell]], converted to the English Electric Canberra.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 15 Squadron RAF]] 1947–50 at [[RAF Wyton]], converted to the [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|Boeing Washington]].<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 35 Squadron RAF]] 1949–50 at [[RAF Mildenhall]].<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 44 Squadron RAF]] 1945–51 at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Wyton, converted to the Boeing Washington.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 49 Squadron RAF]] 1949–55 at [[RAF Upwood]], [[RAF Waddington]] and [[RAF Wittering]].<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 50 Squadron RAF]] 1949–51 at RAF Waddington.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 57 Squadron RAF]] 1945–51 at [[RAF West Kirby]], [[RAF Elsham Wolds]], [[RAF Scampton]], [[RAF Lindholme]] and RAF Waddington, converted to the Boeing Washington.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 58 Squadron RAF]] 1951 at [[RAF Benson]]<ref name = "delve 251"/> and RAF Wyton<ref name="spyflight.co.uk"/>
** [[No. 61 Squadron RAF]] 1946–54 at RAF Waddington and RAF Wittering, converted to the English Electric Canberra.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 75 Squadron RNZAF|No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF]] 1945 at [[RAF Spilsby]].<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 83 Squadron RAF]] 1945–55 at [[RAF Coningsby]] and [[RAF Hemswell]].<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 90 Squadron RAF]] 1947–50 at RAF Wyton, converted to the Boeing Washington.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 97 Squadron RAF]] 1946–55 at RAF Coningsby and RAF Hemswell.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 100 Squadron RAF]] 1946–54 at RAF Lindholme, RAF Hemswell, RAF Waddington and RAF Wittering, converted to the English Electric Canberra.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 101 Squadron RAF]] 1946–51 at RAF Binbrook, converted to the English Electric Canberra.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 115 Squadron RAF]] 1949–50 at RAF Mildenhall.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 116 Squadron RAF]] 1952–54 at [[RAF Watton]]
** [[No. 138 Squadron RAF]] 1947–60 at RAF Wyton and RAF Scampton.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 148 Squadron RAF]] 1950–55 at [[RAF Upwood]].<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 149 Squadron RAF]] 1949–50 at RAF Mildenhall.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 151 Squadron RAF]] 1962–63 at RAF Watton
** [[No. 192 Squadron RAF]] 1951–53 at RAF Watton
** [[No. 199 Squadron RAF]] 1951–57 at RAF Watton and RAF Hemswell, converted to the [[Vickers Valiant]]
** [[No. 207 Squadron RAF]] 1949–50 at RAF Mildenhall.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 214 Squadron RAF]] 1950–54 at RAF Upwood.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit RAF]] 1949–1953 at RAF Lindholme and RAF Upwood, became the Bomber Command Bombing School
** [[No. 527 Squadron RAF]] 1952–57 at RAF Watton
** [[No. 617 Squadron RAF]] 1946–52 at RAF Watton, converted to the English Electric Canberra.<ref name = "delve 251"/>
** [[No. 1321 Flight RAF]] 1954–58 at RAF Hemswell
** [[No. 1426 Flight RAF]] 1956–57 at [[RAF Khormaksar]], Pakistan
** [[No. 1689 Flight RAF]] 1951–52 at [[RAF Aston Down]]
** Bomb Ballistic Unit 1947–48 at [[RAF Woodbridge]]
** Bomber Command Bombing School (BCBS) 1952–1960 at RAF Scampton and RAF Lindholme, converted to the [[Handley Page Hastings]]
** Central Navigation and Control School 1951–55 at [[RAF Shawbury]]
** Coastal Command Gunnery School 1955 at [[RAF Leconfield]]
** Empire Air Navigation School 1947–48 at RAF Shawbury
** Empire Air Navigation School 1946–50 at [[RAF Manby]]
** Empire Central Flying School 1945–46 at [[RAF Hullavington]]
** Empire Radio School 1947–50 at [[RAF Debden]]
** Radar Research Flight 1951–57 at RAF Wyton
* [[Cobham plc|Flight Refuelling Ltd]] (FRL) – used some converted as tankers for [[Aerial refueling|flight refuelling]]
* Empire Test Pilots School

==Accidents and incidents==
{{Main|List of accidents and incidents involving the Avro Lincoln}}

==Aircraft on display==
[[File:B-010 Avro Lincoln (7313012862).jpg|thumb|Argentine Air Force Lincoln B.2, National Museum of Aeronautics]]
[[File:RAF Museum Cosford - DSC08371.JPG|thumb|A preserved RAF Lincoln on static display at [[Royal Air Force Museum Cosford|RAF Museum Cosford]], [[Shropshire]], 2010]]

*Argentina
** Lincoln II ''B-004'' – on display as ''B-010'' at the [[Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina|National Museum of Aeronautics]], [[Buenos Aires]].<ref name = "surviving lincolns"/>
** Lincoln II ''B-016'' – a [[gate guardian]] at the [[Villa Reynolds]] airbase, [[San Luis Province]].<ref name = "surviving lincolns"/>
*Australia
** Lincoln II ''RF342'' is in storage for future restoration at the [[Australian National Aviation Museum]], [[Melbourne]].<ref name = "surviving lincolns"/>
** The nose section of Australian-made Lincoln B.30 ''A73-27'' is at the [[Camden Museum of Aviation]] at Narellan, New South Wales.{{cn|date=July 2022}}
*United Kingdom
** Lincoln II ''RF398'' On display at the [[Royal Air Force Museum Cosford]].<ref name = "surviving lincolns">[http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/84-A-1182-Avro-Lincoln-RF398.pdf "Individual History: Avro Lincoln B.2 RF398/8376M – Museum Accession Number 84/A/1182."] ''Royal Air Force Museum'', 2012.</ref>

==Specifications (Lincoln I)==
[[File:RAAF Avro Lincoln cockpit.jpg|thumb|Cockpit of an Avro Lincoln]]
[[File:Avro Lincoln BII Bomb Bay (10629819276).jpg|thumb|Bomb bay of a preserved Lincoln]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947,<ref name=JAWA1947>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1947 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co |location=London |pages=22c–23c}}</ref> Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918,<ref name="Thetford79">{{cite book |last1=Thetford |first1=Owen G. |title=Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918 |date=1979 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=9780370301860 |pages=69–70 |edition=7th}}</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=7 or 8 (pilot, flight engineer/co-pilot, navigator, wireless operator, front gunner/bomb aimer, dorsal and rear gunners)
|capacity=
|length ft=78
|length in=3+1/2
|length sigfig=4
|length note=
|span ft=120
|span in=
|span note=
|height ft=17
|height in=3+1/2
|height sigfig=3
|height note=
|wing area sqft=1421
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=44188
|empty weight note=equipped
|gross weight lb=75000
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=82000
|max takeoff weight note={{#tag:ref|Using the Merlin 102 engine, an RAAF Lincoln was able to take off in {{cvt|2,874|ft|m}} with an all-up weight of {{cvt|82,000|lb|t}}.<ref>Garbett and Goulding 1979, p. 95.</ref> A lightened Lincoln, using Merlin 114 engines, and carrying a rocket-assisted bomb similar in size and weight to a {{cvt|12,000|lb|t}} Tallboy bomb, was able to achieve {{cvt|42,000|ft|km}}.<ref>Garbett and Goulding 1979, p. 70.</ref>|group=N}}
|fuel capacity={{cvt|3580|impgal|USgal l}} in 6 wing tanks; Oil {{cvt|150|impgal|USgal l}} in four nacelle tanks
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=4
|eng1 name=[[Rolls-Royce Merlin 85]] or [[Packard-Merlin 68]]
|eng1 type=V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines
|eng1 hp=1750
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number=4
|prop name=[[Rotol]] or [[de Havilland Hydromatic]]
|prop dia ft=13
|prop dia in=0
|prop dia note=fully-feathering propellers
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=310
|max speed note=at {{cvt|18300|ft}}
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed mph=215
|cruise speed note=at {{cvt|20000|ft}}
|stall speed mph=75
|stall speed note=flaps and undercarriage extended
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles=2800
|range note=at {{cvt|15000|ft}} with {{cvt|14000|lb}} bomb load at {{cvt|200|mph|kn km/h}}.<ref name="Flight170146p58">{{cite journal |title=The Avro Lincoln |journal=Flight and Aircraft Engineer |date=17 January 1946 |volume= XLIX |issue=1934 |pages=58–62 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1946/1946%20-%200102.html |access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref>
::{{cvt|4450|mi|nmi km}} at {{cvt|15000|ft}} with {{cvt|3000|lb}} bomb load at {{cvt|200|mph|kn km/h}}.<ref name="Flight170146p58"/>
::{{cvt|2240|mi|nmi km}} at {{cvt|20000|ft}} with {{cvt|14000|lb}} bomb load at {{cvt|260|mph|kn km/h}}.<ref name="Flight170146p58"/>
::{{cvt|3560|mi|nmi km}} at {{cvt|20000|ft}} with {{cvt|3000|lb}} bomb load at {{cvt|260|mph|kn km/h}}.<ref name="Flight170146p58"/>
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=30500
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|climb rate ftmin=800
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|20000|ft}} in 26 minutes 30 seconds
|sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes -->
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=52.77
|wing loading note=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|12.2|lb/hp}}
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns= {{unbulleted list|2x {{cvt|0.5|in|2}} [[M2 Browning]] machine-guns nose turret{{#tag:ref|[[Boulton_Paul_Aircraft#Boulton_Paul_gun_turrets|Boulton Paul Type F]] turret|group=N}}
|2x {{cvt|20|mm|3}} [[Hispano MK.IV cannon]] or [[Hispano Mk.V cannon]] dorsal turret{{#tag:ref|[[Bristol B.17]] turret|group=N}}
|2x {{cvt|0.5|in|2}} M2 Browning machine-guns  tail turret{{#tag:ref| [[Boulton_Paul_Aircraft#Boulton_Paul_gun_turrets|Boulton Paul Type D]] turret.|group=N}}}}
::(Some aircraft fitted with a single {{cvt|0.5|in|2}} [[M2 Browning]] in a ventral position)
|bombs= Up to {{cvt|14000|lb}} of bombs; exceptionally 1 x {{cvt|22000|lb}} [[Grand Slam (bomb)|Grand Slam]] Deep Penetration bomb.
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Avro Lancaster]]
* [[Avro Tudor]]
* [[Avro Shackleton]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]]
* [[Boeing B-50 Superfortress]]
* [[Consolidated B-32 Dominator]]
* [[Heinkel He 277]]
* [[Messerschmitt Me 264]]
* [[Tupolev Tu-4]]
* [[Vickers Windsor]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force]]
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=N}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* Buttler, Tony. ''Avro Lincoln (Warpaint series no. 34)''. Denbigh East, Bletchley, UK: Hall Park Books, 2000.
* Delve, Ken. ''Bomber Command: 1936–1968: An Operational & Historical Record''. Pen and Sword, 2005. {{ISBN|1-47381-259-3}}.
* Franks, Richard A. ''The Avro Lancaster, Manchester and Lincoln''. Bedford, United Kingdom: SAM Publications, 2000. {{ISBN|0-9533465-3-6}}.
* Garbett, Mike and Brian Goulding. ''Lincoln at War''. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Ltd., 1979. {{ISBN|0-7110-0847-7}}.
* Grant, Jim. ''Lincoln Test Beds'' ''Model Aircraft Monthly'', Volume 2, Issue 11, November 2003, SAM Publications, {{ISSN|1475-3405}}
* Jackson, A.J. ''Avro Aircraft since 1908, 2nd edition''. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. {{ISBN|0-85177-834-8}}.
* Lake, Alan. ''Flying Units Of The RAF''. London: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1999. {{ISBN|1-84037-086-6}}.
* Lake, Jon. ''Type Analysis: Avro Lincoln'' ''[[International Air Power Review]]'', Volume 1, 1997, Airtime publishing. {{ISSN|1473-9917}}.
* Mantelli, Brown, Kittel, Graf. "Avro Lancaster – Handley Page Halifax – Short S.29 Stirling." ''Edizioni R.E.I.'', 2017. {{ISBN|2-37297-333-9}}.
* Marino, Atilo, Vladimiro Celleto and Javier Mosquera. "Argentina's 'Heavies': Avro Lancaster, Lincoln and Lancastrian in Military Service: Part One." ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 95, September/October 2001, pp.&nbsp;64–70. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.
* Marino, Atilo, Vladimiro Celleto and Javier Mosquera. "Argentina's 'Heavies': Avro Lancaster, Lincoln and Lancastrian in Military Service: Part Two." ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 97, January/February 2002, pp.&nbsp;36–43. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.
* Mason, Francis K. ''The British Bomber since 1914''. London: Putnam, 1994. {{ISBN|0-85177-861-5}}.
* Scholefield, R.A. ''Manchester Airport''. Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: Sutton Publishing, 1998. {{ISBN|0-7509-1954-X}}.
* Thetford, Owen. ''Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57''. London: Putnam, 1957.
* {{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Stewart |title=Military Aircraft of Australia |year=1994 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Weston Creek, Australia |isbn=1875671080 }}
* Wilson, Stewart. ''Lincoln, Canberra and F-111 in Australian Service''. Weston Creek, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications, 1989. {{ISBN|0-9587978-3-8}}.
* ''World Aircraft Information Files'', File # 022. London: Bright Star Publishing, 1997.

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book|last1=Benedetto |first1=Fernando |title=Avro Lancaster, Lancastrian & Lincoln |year=2009 |editor-first=Jorge Felix |editor-last=Núñez Padin |publisher=Fuerzas Aeronavales |series=Serie Fuerza Aérea |volume=17 |language=es |isbn=978-987-1682-00-3 |location=Bahía Blanca, Argentina |url=http://www.fuerzasaeronavales.com/?p=1018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922193646/http://www.fuerzasaeronavales.com/?p=1018 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-09-22 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141205020533/http://www.britishaircraftofww2.co.uk/html%20pages/avro%20694%20lincoln.htm Avro Lincoln in World War II]
* [https://archive.today/20130203160733/http://www.theaviationindex.com/aircraft-types/avro-694-lincoln Avro Lincoln articles and publications]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110105042905/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/collections/aircraft/avro-lincoln-b2.cfm Avro Lincoln B2]
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1946/1946%20-%200101.html The Avro Lincoln – ''Flight'' archive – 1946]

{{Avro aircraft}}
{{Avro Lancaster family}}
{{Victory Aircraft}}
{{British military aircraft since World War II}}
{{Aircraft manufactured in Canada}}
{{ADF aircraft designations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Avro aircraft|Lincoln]]
[[Category:Avro Lancaster]]
[[Category:1940s British bomber aircraft]]
[[Category:Four-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1944]]
[[Category:Four-engined piston aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin-tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]