Avro Lancaster KB845 was one of the first 300 Lancaster Mark X’s ordered from Victory
Aircraft Limited at Malton, Ontario, Canada. A total of 430 were manufactured by Victory
and the majority were ferried to England.
Each aircraft in the first order was given a Serial Number between KB700 and KB999, and
also a sequential and unique Construction Number. The Drayton Parslow Lancaster was Serial
Number KB845 and it carried the unique Construction Number 37146.
On its side were painted large recognition letters ‘VR-L’ which identified the aircraft to the
allies. The VR indicated it was from 419 Squadron, and the L showed which aircraft it was
within that squadron. This last letter would be reassigned as aircraft were destroyed or
became unserviceable.