Lancaster DS679 engine fire in air, landed at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On 24th July 1943 this aircraft was being used to convert 426 Squadron crews from flying the old Wellington type to newer Lancaster type, soon after taking off on one
flight on this date a fire broke out in the port outer engine. The crew switched off the fuel supply to this engine and used the engine's fire extinguishers to put out the flames.
They made a circuit of the airfield and landed safely at Linton on Ouse. The engine was then inspected and it was found that a wire for the fuel pressure warning system
had been incorrectly positioned and this had shorted out eventually leading to a fire. Ground crew then inspected the same wiring on other squadron aircraft
and others were found to have the same fault. As a result of this the Air Ministry grounded all Lancaster MkII's until this fault was checked and corrected where needed.
Pilot - 2nd Lt Stanley Gaunt USAAF (O-885972).
Crew - Names unknown.
Around June 1943 he transferred to the USAAF. For service with 426 Squadron he was later awarded the DFC, the award was approved on 28th December 1943 but as an honourary
award to an American national and it was not published in London Gazette.
Stanley Gaunt was an American citizen and was living in Pascoag, Rhode Island, USA when he enlisted into the RCAF in Montreal in August 1941. For service with 426 Squadron he
was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 13th August 1943, for his actions on the night of 23rd / 24th May 1943 while flying Wellington HE995. Two of his crew baled out over Germany
believing the aircraft to have been in trouble. Gaunt and the remaining members of the crew flew the aircraft back to England and crash landed at Martlesham Heath, Suffolk. The
citation for his DFM reads "One night in May 1943, this airman was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Dortmund. During the
operation the bomber was repeatedly hit by anti-aircraft fire while illuminated by searchlights. The hydraulic and intercommunication systems were rendered unserviceable,
while a fire broke out in the front turret and the cockpit filled with smoke. The flames were extinguished, however, and Sergeant Gaunt afterwards flew the damaged
aircraft to this country. This airman displayed great courage, skill and coolness throughout."