RAF Scampton originally referred to as "Squadron X", was formed at Scampton in order to carry out the proposed raid, codenamed Operation Chastise. More commonly referred to as the "Dambusters Raid", the raid would go down as the most famous and widely remembered in the history of the Royal Air Force. On the night of 16–17 May 1943, 617 Sqn despatched 19 Lancasters from Scampton. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the main bulk of the squadron attacked the Sorpe, Eder and Möhne dams with an additional aircraft tasked to perform an attack on the Schwelm Dam. Both the Eder and Möhne
RAF Scampton transpired that the aircraft had originally served at Scampton with 83 Squadron and was given the squadron code OL-Q "(Q-Queenie)". When 83 Sqn converted to the Lancaster MkIII in September 1943, Lancaster "Q-Queenie" was transferred to 467 Squadron who were then based at RAF Bottesford. The aircraft was subsequently re-coded PO-S "(S-Sugar)". In view of the aircraft's history the 467 Sqn codes were removed and replaced by the original 83 Sqn OL-Q code. Lancaster R5868 was dismantled at Scampton in November 1970, by personnel from No 71 MU. It was removed and is now on permanent exhibition at the Royal