KB832, WL-F

Lancaster B. Mk. X

The Lancaster swung first to port and then to starboard while attempting to take-off from Croft for a mission to Hildesheim on 22 March 1945 and struck Lancaster KB811, from No. 431 Squadron, causing the landing gear to collapse and then caught fire causing the 4000 lb bomb to explode. The aircraft was destroyed.

The Henry crew 129 was taxying behind this a/c  when this occurred, the Bomb-aimer F/O Frank Welsh emailed me stating it was quite a "Prang". F/O Ken McMillan of crew 161 was also present, he believes the item circled in bottom right could possibly be one of the Merlin engines being catapulted through the air. 

Copy of photo courtesy F/O Ken McMillan