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 piston-engined bomber operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The war ended before the Lincoln went into action. Production of the type proceeded and the type was adopted in quantity, allowing it to complement and progressively replace the preceding Lancaster in RAF service during the late 1940s. The Lincoln was deployed on operations during the 1950s. RAF squadrons equipped with the type were used as part of Britain's action against guerrilla fighters during the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya; the RAF and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated the Lincoln during the Malayan Emergency. The type also saw significant peacetime service with the RAF, RAAF and the Argentine Air Force (Spanish: Fuerza Aérea Argentina). 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 harnessing newly developed jet propulsion. Chief amongst these was the English Electric Canberra, which was also adopted by a wide range of operators across the world including the RAAF and Argentine Air Force. For details of he development, operational history and variants of the Lincoln, click here, and for a more detailed history of its service in the RAAF, click here.
