Lancaster JA868 at Carnaby airfield.
At around 01.30hrs on 17th August 1944 this 576 Squadron aircraft took off from Elsham Wolds airfield for the crew to carry out a cross country training exercise. Because of a problem with the undercarriage warning lights in the cockpit the aircraft made a landing at Carnaby airfield at 05.30hrs. The undercarriage warning lights in the cockpit remained red but on landing they turned green. Unfortunately whilst taxying on the perimeter track the port undercarriage leg then collapsed causing minor damage to the aircraft. A possible damage to the undercarriage on take off may have gone unnoticed.
Pilot - P/O Kenneth Frederick Forster RAFVR (179282).
Lancaster JA868 had an eventful life. It was taken on charge as new by 103 Squadron on 7th July 1943 and slightly damaged to Cat.Ac/FB status on 24th August 1943. It was repaired on site and returned to 103 Squadron on 9th October 1943. The aircraft was transferred to 576 Squadron on 27th November 1943. On 3rd December 1943 it received Cat.Ac/FB damage that was repaired on site and it was returned to 576 Squadron on 18th December 1943. On 23rd March 1944 it again received Cat.Ac/FB damage. It was again repaired on site and returned to 576 Squadron on 7th April 1944. It received Cat.Ac/FB damage on 17th August 1944 and was again repaired on site with it returned to 576 Squadron on 17th November 1944. The aircraft was transferred to 1656 HCU on 20th November 1944. On 13th February 1945 it crashed at Lindholme and sustained Cat.B/FA damage. This damage saw it being taken away and repaired in works by A.V.Roe on 14th March 1945. It was servicable in mid-May 1945 but was placed in store at 46 MU. On 18th October 1946 it passed to 45 MU but was struck off charge on 7th August 1947.