At 11.45hrs on 10th November 1943 this 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit Lancaster was taking off from Lindholme airfield so the crew could undertake a dual control training flight. As it picked up speed along Runway No.1 it swung off the runway and hit a sodium flare which caused the starboard undercarriage leg to collapse. It was thought that a binding brake had caused the aircraft to swing.
Pilot (Instructor) - F/Sgt David Francis Tribe DFM RCAF (R/128945).
Pilot (Trainee) - F/Sgt Ernest Arthur Webb RAAF (420089).
David Tribe was awarded the DFM for service with 12 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th October 1943. He survived the War.
Ernest Webb was flying 12 Squadron Lancaster JB358 on 27th / 28th January 1944 when it failed to return from Ops to Berlin. He and his crew became PoWs.
Lancaster W4883 was built to contract B.69275/40 by Metrovic at Trafford Park and was awaiting collection in January 1943. On 25th January 1943 it was flown to A.V.Roe Ltd and was then taken on charge by 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme on 4th February 1943. As a result of damage at Lindholme on 27th February 1943 minor Cat.Ac/FA damage resulted. It was repaired on site and remained with unit once the repair was complete on 17th April 1943. On 18th August 1943 it was involved in a fatal accident at Lindholme when it struck and ran over an airman waiting to board it. The aircraft received no damage. It continued to be used by 1656 H.C.U. until sustaining another minor Cat.Ac/FA damage incident on 10th November 1943 at Lindholme. From this damage it was taken away by road and repaired by A.V.Roe Ltd in their works factory. Once the repair was complete it passed to 38 MU on 27th May 1944 and remaining in store until it was about to be taken on charge by No.6 Lancaster Finishing School at Ossington on 30th December 1944 on formation. On the same date it was flown to 32 MU so it probably never arrived at 6 L.F.S.. On 20th January 1945 received minor Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying accident though no details of what happened are known. The damage was swiftly repaired by 3rd February 1945. On 20th February 1945 it was taken on charge by 231 Squadron at Full Sutton but on 15th January 1946 the unit disbanded so the aircraft was placed in MU storage. It was then struck off charge on 12th April 1946.
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