This folder contains a repaint for the AVRO Lancaster by Aeroplane Heaven, in the colors of Lancaster B.1 R5508 of No.44 Squadron based on Waddington, UK, as flown by Squadron Leader John Nettleton from South Africa during the low-level daylight raid on the MAN factory in Augsburg, Germany on 17 April, 1942. It involved six aircraft of 44 squadron and six of 97 squadron, that had to fly some 1000 miles over hostile terrain in daylight at low level.
Only two of 44 sqn and five of 97 sqn reached the target, and two more aircraft were shot down near Augsburg by flak. Four 97 sqn aircraft returned to base under cover of darkness, but of 44 sqn, only Squadron Leader Nettletons aircraft, although heavily damaged, made it back to the UK. Nettleton received the VC for this raid, F/L Penman of 97 Sqn the DSO. 8 DFC's and 10 DFM's were awarded to other crew members.
Nettleton died on 13 July 1943, returning from a raid on Turin. It is believed he was shot down near Brest by a FW190 of JG.2. His body and those of his crew were never recovered.
