History of Lincolnshire the RAF Officer Training College after the formation of the RAF in April 1918. RAF Swinderby was a Polish-manned RAF station and from 1964, the RAF's main Recruit Training Camp. RAF Scampton, was the home base of 617 Squadron. Lincolnshire still has the strongest claim to being the 'home' of RAF Bomber Command, playing host to many squadrons, including the Lancaster bombers of the famous 617 "Dambusters" squadron who were based at RAF Scampton. There were two Bomber Groups based in the county – No. 1 in the north and No. 5 Group in the centre and south. The Battle
RAF Scampton station was home to the Avro Manchester with 49 Sqn and 83 Sqn operating the type. This was a brief liaison with the squadrons subsequently converting to the Avro Lancaster. Forming 83 Conversion Flight (CF) on 11 April 1942, which in turn was followed by 49 CF on 16 May, both squadrons were fully equipped with the Lancaster by the end of June. It was during this period that 83 Sqn took delivery of Lancaster MkI R5868 which would one day become the Station's gate guardian. In turn both resident squadrons were then replaced at Scampton by 57 Squadron (57