Lancaster W4327 at Breighton airfield.
On the night of 23rd / 24th January 1943 this 460 Squadron aircraft was used on an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf, it left Breighton at 17.12hrs and the mid upper turret became unservicable shortly after taking off. The crew continued to the target, releasing their load at 19.58hrs from 21,000 feet. On their return to England they were forced to land at Bradwell Bay airfield at 21.30 because of poor weather further north. On 25th January 1943 the crew flew the aircraft back from Bradwell Bay and landed at Breighton airfield after a ninety minute flight without incident. An inspection of the aircraft later in the day found damage to the tail wheel mounting assembly. The aircraft had not yet had a modification to correct a known fault that effected a number of the early Lancasters. Minor Cat.Ac damage was the damage assessment.
Pilot - P/O Kenneth Hugh Grenfell RAAF (403735).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Phillip Wesley Dunn RAAF (411010).
? - Sgt J Austin RAAF.
Air Gunner - Sgt Sidney George Webb RAFVR (955673).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Edward Alexander Baldwin RAAF (22230).
? - Sgt G E Mason RAF.
Navigator - Sgt Ian Robert Richardson RAAF (401246).
Lancaster W4327 was built to contract B.69274/40 by A.V.Roe & Co. Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in October 1942. It was taken on charge immediately by 460 Squadron at Breighton on 24th October 1942. As a result of damage sustained on 4th January 1943 minor Cat.A/FA damage resulted and it was repaired on site but the aircraft's AM78 movement card does not list it. On 25th January 1943 damage was found to the tail wheel mounting on landing at Breighton. This damage is probably the one recorded on the AM Form 78 as being Cat.Ac damage with the date being 3rd February 1943 (the date when the repair was begun). The AM78 states the Lancaster was returned to 460 Squadron use on 13th February 1943. On 30th March 1943 it was lost, Cat.E(m) damage recorded, when it failed to return from an operational flight to Berlin. It was shot down and crashed at Kloosterhaar, Holland with it's then crew of seven being killed. It was struck off charge the following day.