On 30th April 1943 this 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was used on a training exercise. Seventy five minutes after taking off from Lindholme a landing was made there at 15.45hrs but in either landing or taxying the aircraft suffered a burst tyre possibly after it struck or ran over a Drem lighting installation. The undercarriage leg may have suffered some form of damage.
Pilot - Sgt Paul Fulton Chesterton RAFVR (1383472).
Lancaster ED607 was built to contract B.69274/40 by A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd. at Chadderton. It was taken on charge as new by 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme on 11th February 1943. As a result of the damage sustained there on 30th April 1943 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment. A repair on site commenced on 4th May 1943 and just four days later it was returned to 1656 H.C.U. charge. The date it transferred to No.1 Lancaster Finishing School is not known but 1 L.F.S. formed at Lindholme on 23rd November 1943 which is also where 1656 H.C.U. were. 1 L.F.S. moved to Hemswell on 20th January 1944 so I would guess that this Lancaster passed to them between October 1943 and January 1944. The aircraft's AM Form 78 does not give a date. On 25th June 1944 the aircraft's tail wheel collapsed while taxying at Hemswell with 1 L.F.S. that saw Cat.Ac/FA damage be the assessment and it was repaired on site with it being returned to 1 L.F.S. charge (almost certainly) on 8th July 1944. On 4th November 1944 it was transferred to 1662 Heavy Conversion Unit at Blyton and on 1st February 1945 it was transferred to 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit at Wigsley. On 21st April 1945 required a repair for Cat.Ac damage that was carried out by 58 MU from Newark. It was returned to 1654 H.C.U. charge in July 1945 and on 14th August 1945 it received Cat.Ac damage again. On 31st August 1945 it was reassessed as Re.Cat.B so was then transported to A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd. for a repair in works. The aircraft was servicable on 4th December 1945. On 7th February 1946 it was taken on charge by the Radio Warfare Establishment at Watton. During March 1946 it was listed in the Home Census of aircraft. On 1st September 1946 the R.W.E. was redesignated Central Signals Establishment at Watton. On 14th April 1947 this aircraft was flown to 15 MU at Wroughton for storage and eventual disposal. It was struck off charge on 28th August 1947.
Back to monthly table.