Wellington W5550 caught fire in the air, landed at Lindholme airfield.
During the second half of March 1942 this aircraft is listed in the 305 Squadron ORB as having sustained damage following starboard engine fire in the air on Ops. The date is after 13th / 14th March 1942. I have no further details to add at the time of creating this webpage.
Crew - Names unknown.
Wellington W5550 was built by Vickers and was received by 18 M.U. on 22nd May 1941. It was taken on charge by 142 Squadron on 29th June 1941. On 23rd August 1941 it was taken Brooklands Service Aircraft Section then transferred to Blands at Sywell for a repair in works to be made three days later. The aircraft was awaiting collection on 25th November 1941 and was received by 46 M.U. on 4th December 1941. The aircraft was taken on charge by 305 Squadron on 23rd December 1941. It's AM Form 78 states that it sustained Cat.E/FB damage on 26th March 1942 which must relate to the incident that is mentioned in the squadron records. This Cat.E damage was then re-assessed and it was Re-Cat.B on 7th April 1942 which was it transported for a repair in works at Brooklands. Once repaired on 1st September 1942 it passed to the O.A.P.U. and was then taken on charge by 1443 Flight on 7th September 1942. Ten days later No.1 O.A.D.U. took the aircraft on charge and the following day it left the UK en-route to join the Middle East theatre. On 4th October 1942 it arrived in the Middle East and it would join 104 Squadron. On 26th November 1942 it was ditched off Sicily on an operational flight that saw one of it's crew of six being killed while the rest became PoWs.