On 14th October 1942 this 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft sustained a structural failure in the tail unit resulting in minor damage on landing at Breighton airfield. The failure was the combined result of a high number of practice landings the aircraft had made that had aggrevated a defect in the mounting of the tail wheel.
Pilot - P/O Gordon Donald Graham RAAF (404910).
Pilot - F/Sgt Francis Felix Fahey RAAF (406352).
Crew - Names unknown.
Lancaster W4263 was built to contract B.69274/40 by A.V.Roe & Co. Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in September 1942. It was taken on charge by 1656 H.C.U. at Lindholme soon after on 1st October 1942 and as a result of an accident at Breighton on 14th October 1942 minor Cat.Ac/FA resulted. It was repaired on site and returned 1656 H.C.U. on 24th October 1942 but appears to have been transferred to 460 Squadron at Breighton on the same date. It sustained Cat.Ac damage on 28th November 1942 at Holme on Spalding Moor when the tail wheel collapsed on landing. It was repaired on site and returned to 460 Squadron on 9th January 1943. On 4th April 1943 it again sustained minor Cat.Ac damage with repairs completed on site on 1st May 1943. It moved to Binbrook with 460 Squadron on 12th May 1943. It then sustained minor Cat.Ac damage on 25th May 1943 and 29th September 1943 with repairs on site being carried out each time. The aircraft was transferred to 625 Squadron at Kelstern on 2nd December 1942 and was again slightly damaged to Cat.Ac status on 31st December 1943 and also on 4th May 1944. After repaired were complete after the second incident it was taken on charge with 1 L.F.S. at Lindholme on 19th June 1944 but almost certainly served in 'B' Flight which was based at Blyton. On 3rd November 1944 it was transferred to 1662 H.C.U. at Blyton but by 6th April 1945 it was placed in MU storage when the unit disbanded. It existed until 15th January 1947 when it was struck off charge.
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