The nose of the Manchester model airplane was most identical to that of the later Lancaster, and was one of the better parts of the design. The pilot and flight engineer sat side by side in the cockpit, with an astrodome behind for the navigator to take measurements of the stars for astro-navigation. The controls were well laid out, and the aircraft was not hard to fly.
All operational Manchesters were painted in the standard mate black lower (to reduce detection by enemy searchlights) and camouflage upper (to blend in with the terrain when viewed from above).
The nose gunner /bomb aimer sat in a powered turret with a pair of Browning 7.7-mm (.303 cal ) machine-guns. At night, the nose gunner rarely had to use his guns.
After flight trials, wing span was increased by 3.05 m (10 ft.). This wing was a sound design, being well able to accept a new engine configuration and absorbing massive battle damage.
EM was the marking for No. 207 Squadron, the first Manchester operator. Later in the war the squadron flew Lancasters, and then their replacement the Avro Lincoln.
The capacious bomb bay was one of the most useful Manchester features. It could accept the large RAF 1818-kg (4.000-lb.) Cookie bomb that became a standard load for British bombers at night.
The rear gunner fired four Browning machine-guns. He was usually the most vital gunner, as night-fighters tended to attack from below and behind. He would call out evasive actions to the pilot if the aircraft came under attack.
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