 Take-off was made in the usual radio silence from 21.45.The Pathfinder Lancasters were loaded to 2,000 lb over the current all-up limit of 63,000 lb, with a full fuel load of 2,154 gallons as well as oil, crew, machine-gun ammunition, flares, TIs and high explosive.In case anyone was shot down, every Pathfinder carried six 250 lb TIs - three red, three green - sixteen flares and eight 500 lb bombs.