Lancaster R5482 at Holme on Spalding Moor airfield.
At 15.30hrs on 5th December 1942 this 101 Squadron aircraft was being taxied to a dispersal point at Holme on Spalding Moor airfield when the tail collided with a train of bomb trolleys. The lower portion of one of the tail rudders was drawn across the top of an incendiary container and the aircraft received minor damage.
Pilot - Sgt Marcel Alec Fussell RAFVR (1316055)
Just days later on 17th December 1942 this pilot and his crew were returning from an operational flight in Lancaster W4319 when the aircraft came in over land near Redcar. Ground defences opened up on the Lancaster and it was shot down. Sadly all on board were killed.
Lancaster R5482 was built to contract B.69274/40 by A.V.Roe and Co.Ltd. at Woodford and was awaiting collection in February 1942. It was taken on charge almost immediately by 97 Squadron at Woodhall Spa on 12th March 1942. It sustained Cat.B/FB damage on 26th March 1942 and was repaired by A.V.Roe Ltd in their works factory. This repair appears to have taken some months. On 24th October 1942 it passed to the care of Armstrong Whitworths briefly. It was taken on charge by 101 Squadron at Holme on Spalding Moor on 27th October 1942 when they began conversion from Wellington MkIII to Lancasters. As a result of minor damage sustained at Holme on Spalding Moor on 5th December 1942 when it was taxied into a bomb trolley Cat.A/FA damage was the damage assessment that saw it swiftly repaired on site. As a result of the crash on 20th December 1942 at Holme on Spalding Moor the aircraft was written off with Cat.E/FA damage being the assessment. It had 84 hours flying time to it's account.