Avro Lancaster B Mk III (Special) – AJ-I, No. 617 Squadron, Operation Chastise
Lancaster AJ-I, flown by Flt Lt Joseph McCarthy of the Royal Canadian Air Force, was part of No. 617 Squadron’s daring Operation Chastise raid on German dams in May 1943. Based at RAF Scampton.
Aircraft Overview
Type: Avro Lancaster B Mk III (Special)
Squadron: No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Code: AJ-I
Pilot: Flight Lieutenant Joseph Charles McCarthy (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Operation: Chastise (Dambusters Raid)
Base: RAF Scampton, England
Date: 16–17 May 1943
Role: Precision low-level bombing of German dams using “Upkeep” bouncing bomb
Mission Profile – Operation Chastise
| Phase | Objective | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outbound | Penetrate German airspace | Low-level | Avoid radar and flak detection |
| Target Run | Attack Sorpe Dam | Very low | AJ-I assigned to Sorpe, which required a direct drop |
| Return | Navigate back to England | Low-level | Avoid night fighters and flak |
Loadout Configuration
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Bomb | 1x “Upkeep” bouncing bomb |
| Defensive Armament | .303 Browning machine guns (nose, tail, dorsal) |
| Modifications | Bomb bay adapted for Upkeep, altimeter removed |
| Crew | 7 (pilot, navigator, bomb aimer, flight engineer, wireless operator, mid-upper gunner, rear gunner) |
Historical Anecdotes
The Canadian Dambuster
Flt Lt Joseph McCarthy, though American-born, flew with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His aircraft AJ-I was assigned to attack the Sorpe Dam, which required a different approach than the Möhne and Eder—a direct drop rather than a skip due to its earthen construction.
AJ-I’s Attack Run
McCarthy’s crew made ten separate bombing runs over the Sorpe Dam before releasing their Upkeep bomb. Despite the difficulty, their attack caused structural damage, though the dam was not breached.
The Human Cost
Operation Chastise was a tactical success but came at a high cost: eight aircraft lost, 53 aircrew killed, and 1,600 civilians, including many forced laborers, perished in the flooding.
Legacy of AJ-I
Though AJ-I did not breach its target, its persistence and precision under fire exemplified the bravery of 617 Squadron. McCarthy survived the war and became a symbol of Allied cooperation and courage.
Kit details- Kit: Airfix A09007 in 1:72 scale
- Scale: 1:72
Exterior Paint Scheme
| Area | Real Color Name | Vallejo Model Air Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Surfaces | Dark Earth + Dark Green | AV 71.029 DARK EARTH / AV 71.016 USAF OLIVE DRAB | Standard RAF Temperate Land Scheme |
| Undersides | Night Black | AV 71.057 BLACK | Matte black for low visibility |
| Roundels & Codes | RAF Type B & C1 | Decals or hand-painted | AJ-I code in white, roundels in red/blue/yellow |
| Propeller Spinner | Black | AV 71.057 BLACK | Standard RAF bomber finish |
| Exhaust Staining | Burnt Metal | AV 71.073 BLACK (METALLIC) | Applied in streaks behind engine nacelles |
Interior Cockpit Colors
| Component | Real Color Name | Vallejo Model Air Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cockpit walls | RAF Interior Grey-Green | AV 71.010 INTERIOR GREEN | Standard RAF bomber interior |
| Instrument panels | Satin Black | AV 71.057 BLACK | Matte finish preferred |
| Seat cushions | Dark Brown | AV 71.029 DARK EARTH | Leather or canvas texture |
| Harness straps | Khaki | AV 71.031 MIDDLE STONE | RAF standard harness color |
Weathering Guide
| Technique | Application Area | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust Stains | Engine nacelles, fuselage | Airbrush AV 71.073 BLACK (METALLIC) in feathered streaks |
| Oil Leaks | Undercarriage, bomb bay | Use AV 71.057 BLACK thinned with gloss medium |
| Paint Fading | Upper surfaces | Drybrush with lightened AV 71.029 DARK EARTH or AV 71.016 USAF OLIVE DRAB |
| Chipping | Crew access panels | Sponge technique with AV 71.065 STEEL (METALLIC) (Steel) |
| Mud/Dust | Landing gear, lower fuselage | Pigments or pastel chalk for realism |
Final Finish
- Flat coat recommended for authenticity
- Semi-gloss accents on metal and hydraulic areas
This model appears in
- Bomber Command: RAF bombers, at the Museum of Flight in Seattle WA, from Feb 5 2026 to Jun 4 2026 (event managed by Jim Bates)