How many tons of bombs did the Lancaster drop?

Short answer

The Lancasters dropped 608,612 long tons (618,378,000 kg) of bombs between 1942 and 1945. That load corresponded to a total of 156,000 sorties. 7,377 aircraft were built. Among its loads was the 22,000 lb (10,000 kg) Grand Slam.

Published: November 4, 2026 · Updated: November 4, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many tons of bombs did the Lancaster drop?

Lancaster B Mk I R5852 of No. 83 Squadron in flight over Lincolnshire, June 1942

Over 600,000 long tons

The Avro Lancaster flew a total of 156,000 sorties and dropped 608,612 long tons (618,378,000 kg) of bombs between 1942 and 1945. Production of the bomber reached 7,377 aircraft. The type originated from the twin-engined Avro Manchester and was designed by Roy Chadwick.

The bombs it carried

Among the Lancaster's loads were the Grand Slam earthquake bombs of 22,000 lb (10,000 kg), designed by Wallis. The Grand Slam was the largest and most powerful conventional, non-nuclear aerial bomb used by either side during the war. Standard Lancasters could not carry it: Avro built 32 Lancaster B.Mk 1 (Special) with more powerful variants of the Merlin, strengthened landing gear, no bomb bay doors and many other elements removed, to save weight.

Production in Canada

The Canadian plant at Malton received the contract on 18 September 1941 to build the Avro Lancaster Mk X heavy bomber. Lancaster production at Victory Aircraft came to reach a rate of one aircraft a day.