In 1942 Avro began design work on a modernised Lancaster bomber with improved ceiling and range. In 1944 in response to RAAF requirements Avro took their design and further modified it with greater gross weight and the engines were changed for four Rolls-Royce Griffon V-12 engines. The prototype first flew in Britain in March 1945 and following completion of trials was shipped to Australia for further work and to act as a pattern aircraft for local production by Australian Aviation. 85 aircraft were built 1945-47 to equip the long-range bomber force.
Crew: 8 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator, flight engineer, bomb aimer, two gunners)
Length: 78 ft 3½ in (23.86 m)
Wingspan: 120 ft (36.58 m)
Height: 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m)
Wing area: 1,421 ft² (132 m²)
Empty weight: 46,400 lb (21,050 kg)
Loaded weight: 77,000 lb (34,930 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 86,000 lb (39,010 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × Rolls-Royce Griffon V, 2,500 hp (1,864 kW) each, driving six-bladed contra-rotating propellers
Maximum speed: 319 mph (513 km/h) at 18,800 ft (5,730 m)
Cruise speed: 215 mph (346 km/h) at 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Range: 2,930 mi (4,714 km); with maximum bomb-load 1,470 miles (2,365 km)
Service ceiling: 30,500 ft (9,296 m)
Rate of climb: 950 ft/min (289.5 m/min)
Armament: 4 × .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns in nose (remote-controlled) and tail turrets (equipped with AGLT) and 2 × 20mm Oerlikon FFB(A) cannon in dorsal turret; normal bombload up to 14,000 lb (6,400 kg) (exceptionally one 22,000 lb (10,000 kg) DP bomb)