Wellington BK430 at East Moor airfield.
On 30th December 1942 ground crew were working on this 429 Squadron Wellington at East Moor airfield, when, at 18.00hrs a fire was spotted in the aircraft. A
portable oil heater was being used in the aircraft and it was lit without removing a shield attachment, the heater overheated and a fire broke out burning off the aircraft's nose cover, damaging the upper geodetic structure of the aircraft and wiring and instrumentation in the nose of the aircraft. The fire was eventually put out and four ground crew, named as LAC L McLachlan, AC J Ward, AC E Phillips, AC A Acomb were later officially commended by the Commanding Officer of Linton on Ouse (?) airfield for their quick actions in saving the aircraft. Why the C.O. of Linton on Ouse commended people at East Moor is not yet known.
No crew.
Wellington BK430 was built to contract B124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd at Chester and was delivered to 45 MU on 25th October 1942. It was then taken on charge by 196 Squadron at Driffield on 1st December 1942 but was immediately transferred to 429 Squadron at East Moor two days later. 429 Squadron formed on 7th November 1942 and were in the process of receiving aeroplanes. It sustained damage of Cat.B/GA on 30th December 1942 and was repaired in works by Vickers. After repair was completed it was passed to 38 MU and then issued to 20 O.T.U. at Lossiemouth on 25th May 1943. It later transferred to 23 O.T.U. at Pershore on 30th May 1943. It was destroyed, with Cat.E2/FA damage being
recorded, on 7th August 1943 when an engine failed on a night navigation exercise and the aircraft was crashed landed at Brunington, Flintshire. The crew of six being sadly killed. The aircraft was struck off charge on 19th August 1943.