For a short time the station was home to the Avro Manchester with 49 Squadron and 83 Squadron 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 Squadron took delivery of Lancaster MkI R5868 which would one day become the Station's gate guardian.