Lancaster B.III RF325 at Thornaby airfield.

The information given below is drawn from the AM Form 1180 that details the damage sustained. The AM Form 1180 states it was a 279 Squadron aircraft which is backed up by the AM Form 78 though this unit was based at Beccles and why the aircraft had earlier landed at Thornaby to subsequently be damaged there is unclear. 279 Squadron Lancasters were fitted with modifications that allowed them to be used for Air Sea Rescue work and they could carry lifeboats beneath them. I may be incorrect with my assumption but perhaps they had a detachment based at Thornaby at the time so that the North-East had Air Sea Rescue cover because on this date the crew were due to fly this aircraft on a local familarisation flight. At 17.50hrs on 19th December 1945 this 279 Squadron aircraft was taxying from a dispersal point on Thornaby airfield prior to the flight. A marshalling team outside the aircraft were assisting the pilot when the Lancaster's starboard outer propeller struck a hydraulic jack that had been left infront of the aircraft. The investigation stated that the jack should have been moved by the marshalling team prior to allowing pilot to begin taxying but that the marshalling team had infact told pilot to turn left and he went straight on and hit the jack. The aircraft was repaired and subsequently became the last ever operational Lancaster to be used by the RAF.

Pilot - F/O Victor Reginald Thompson RAFVR (188927).

Second Pilot - F/Sgt Maurice William Edward Page RAFVR (1804308).

Five further crew - Names unknown.