ANSWER 3: “In August 405 Squadron in 8 Group began its conversion to Lancaster 1s and IIIs, and Canadians in Bomber Command could take pride in the delivery of the first of what ultimately became 430 Canadian-built Lancaster Xs produced for the war effort. The aircraft, coded KB 700 but soon to become known by its nickname, The Ruhr Express, was flown to Britain in a well-organized public relations effort by Squadron Leader Reginal Lane, DSO, DFC. Both Lane and The Ruhr Express had many exciting wartime experiences still in store for them, but the aircraft, ceremonially presented to 405 Squadron at Gransden Lodge in October, was far from being combat ready. In fact, only thirteen more of the variant were completed before year’s end, and on average they required around 1000 man-hours of modifications to bring them up to operational standards once they arrived in England. This was because modifications developed in the United Kingdom could not be incorporated quickly into the production line at Victory Aircraft in Downsview, and changes in Canadian specifications played a delaying role as well. Thus, when The Ruhr Express bombed Berlin as part of 405 Squadron on 27/28 November 1943 on its first operational sortie, no other Lancaster Xs were used operationally until 419 Squadron became the first unit to convert to the type in March/April 1944.” 

Source:

No Prouder Place,

pg. 264 (Bashow)