Airfix 1/72 Avro Lancaster B.III (SPECIAL) 'THE DAMBUSTERS' # 9007A

The Avro Lancaster B.III (Special) 'The Dambusters' was a highly modified version of the standard Avro Lancaster bomber aircraft, developed during World War II. It was specifically designed for Operation Chastise, a top-secret mission to attack several dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley using a revolutionary bouncing bomb.

The aircraft was extensively modified with new weapons systems, including a highly accurate targeting system for dropping the bouncing bomb. It also had special modifications to the bomb-bay doors and bomb-release mechanism, which were crucial for the successful delivery of the weapon.

The 'Dambusters' Lancaster was flown by the RAF's No. 617 Squadron, which was specially formed for the mission. The squadron was led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who personally selected the crews and trained them for the mission.

The aircraft and its crew became legendary following the success of the mission. On the night of May 16-17, 1943, the 'Dambusters' Lancaster and its crew, along with other aircraft from No. 617 Squadron, successfully breached the Möhne and Eder dams, causing significant damage to the German industrial infrastructure and boosting morale among the Allies.

The aircraft and its crew were celebrated as heroes and received numerous awards and honors for their bravery and skill. Today, the 'Dambusters' Lancaster is considered an iconic aircraft of World War II, and replicas can be seen in museums and air shows around the world.