Lancaster DS633 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
During the weeks prior to this incident 426 Squadron had been in the process of converting from flying Wellingtons to Lancasters and by the middle of the August 1943 the first of their crews were ready for beginning operational flying with Lancasters. During the afternoon of 14th August 1943 photographers were at Linton on Ouse so that they could take photographs of two Lancasters, probably on the ground and then in the air whilst flying around the airfield. As 426 Squadron were about to be the first Lancaster squadron in the RCAF publicity was being made of this. Lancaster DS633 was one of the two aircraft used, it became airborne but the constant speed units on the engines failed to work and as a result all the engines then over-revved. The pilot attempted to slow the engines down by reducing power applied to them but this resulted in the aircraft beginning to loose height. He flew a circuit of the airfield and proceeded to land but the undercarriage legs would then not deploy properly so he made a belly landing. The aircraft sustained some damage but was later repaired. Not the publicity photographs No.6 Group HQ had probably planned for.
Pilot - F/Lt Robert Frederick Epps RCAF (J/11552).
Crew - Names unknown but the following were flying with him around this date...
Navigator - F/O Donald Wallace Simpson RCAF (J/11110).
? - F/Sgt M W Warren.
? - Sgt E Jones.
? - Sgt J McLaughlin.
? - Sgt K Heeley.
? - Sgt W F Woodley.
He is listed as being treated for facial injuries at East Grinstead Hospital from 28th December 1944 with his injuries being sustained some months prior to admission as the result of a flying accident while serving at Skipton on Swale airfield (said to have been on 1st March 1943 which cannot be correct as he was flying operationally for weeks after this date). I cannot link him to a known flying accident and would welcome information to pin him to a known incident, the date of 1st March 1943 would appear to be incorrect. None the less, he was one of the famous Guinea Pig patients.
Bob Epps was posted to 426 Squadron on 11th April 1943 when they were operating Wellingtons and was one of the first to convert to Lancasters. He was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 11th February 1944 and the citation for his awarded (as located by Hugh Halliday) reads.."This officer has taken part in a large number of operational sorties, the majority of which have been against heavily defended targets in Germany. As Flight Commander he has set a high example to all crews in the squadron by the exceptional keenness and enthusiasm which he displays towards operational flying. I strongly recommend that his consistently good work and devotion to duty be recognized by the award of the DFC." He was later posted to 1666 HCU at Wombleton in May 1944 and later served with 427 Squadron. He survived the War and would continue his service in the RCAF until well into the 1960s and he died in May 2006.
Donald Simpson was born in Stratford, Ontario in 1912 and made his home in Islington. He enlisted for RCAF service in Toronto on 12th February 1941 and received a commission in 1942. He was the regular navigator in W/O P C Maries' crew at 426 Squadron around April 1943. For his efforts in getting Wellington HE867 and crew back to the UK on 27th April 1943 Donald Simpson was awarded the DFC, the citation was a joint one with F/Lt Marsh (Gazetted on 1st June 1943) it reads.. "One night in April 1943, these officers were wireless operator and navigator, respectively, of an aircraft detailed to attack Duisburg. When nearing the target area the bomber was engaged by an enemy fighter and sustained severe damage. On the return flight F/O Simpson displayed exceptional navigational ability in most difficult circumstances, and F/Lt Marsh, who skilfully obtained bearing, rendered him valuable assistance. Both these members of aircraft crew displayed great coolness and skill in a perilous situation." The crew baled out over Yorkshire and the Wellington crashed near Stonegrave. On 14th August 1943 he was flying in Lancaster DS633 when it crashed at Linton on Ouse. He was invested with his DFC by King George VI on 1st February 1944 and survived the War.