Lancaster III LM724 at Carnaby airfield.

During the afternoon of 13th May 1945 this 1668 Heavy Converison Unit aircraft was flown on a basic circuits and landings training exercise at their home airfield of Bottesford. During one of the take offs on a poor runway surface and in a cross wind, the main port tyre burst but the pilot was able to get the aircraft into the air safely. The crew were later diverted to the wide and long emergency landing airfield at Carnaby and landed at 16.10hrs. Unfortunately the pilot could not prevent the aircraft was swinging and eventually the undercarriage collapsed. The damage was initially assessed as being Cat.B/FA but was later re-assessed as Re-Cat.E on 25th May 1945 and it was struck off charge.

Pilot - F/O John Beaumont Allen RAFVR (145076).

Four other crew - Names unknown.