6 Group Unavailable
First Lancaster built in Canada, rolled out at Malton on 6 August 1943. First Canadian built Lancaster to see action. Named "Ruhr Express". Operated by No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*Q", from October to 20 December 1943, flew 2 missions. First mission was raid on Berlin on 26/27 November 1943. Then to No. 419 Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*Z". Flew 47 operations with this unit. Landed hard at Middleton-St.-George returning from mission to Ludwigshafen in early morning of 3 January 1945, possibly due to flaps partly retracting just before touch down. Overshot paved runway, tried to taxi clear because of other approaching aircraft but struck construction machinery near runway edge with starboard outer prop. Engine caught fire, spread to rest of aircraft. No crew injured, but aircraft totally destroyed
Ruhr Express and the Road to Victory by David Clark,