Wellington HE386 at Leconfield airfield.
On 8th January 1943 the undercarriage of this 466 Squadron aircraft collapsed on landing following an airtest prior to being bombed up for Ops to Duisburg. 466 Squadron did not actually fly Ops that night as the operational plans were scrubbed by Group HQ prior to take off. During early January 1943 466 Wellington MkX's were initially grounded while all constant speed units in their propellers were inspected after the two incidents on 31st December 1942, their turrets were also having modifications made which caused further delays in crews being able to get in the air. This incident occurred on one of their first flights of the year.
Crew - Names Unknown.
Wellington HE386 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was awaiting collection by November 1942. It was received by 23 MU on 5th November 1942 and was taken on charge by 466 Squadron at Driffield almost immediately on 25th November 1942. On 27th December 1942 it moved to Leconfield with 466 Squadron. As a result of damage sustained on 8th January 1943 minor Cat.Ac/FA damage resulted and it was repaired on site by a team from Vickers at Weybridge. The repair was complete on 27th February 1943 and it returned to 466 Squadron. It was lost on 17th May 1943 when it failed to return from an operational flight to lay mines off the French coast with it's then crew of five being killed, Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was written off. It was struck off charge on 1st June 1943.