Whitley N1355 at Driffield airfield.
During the night of 4th October 1939 this 77 Squadron aircraft was used for a local flying exercise. On landing at Driffield the aircraft touched down normally but after a few seconds the undercarriage retracted. The damage was later repaired but would be damaged again at Cottam in August 1940 and was written off after inspection.
Pilot - Sgt Reginald Austin Bigger RAF (580320).
Rest of crew, possibly..
Second Pilot - P/O Philip Edwin William Walker RAF (70706).
Observer - Sgt George Jonathan Burrell RAF (510603).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - AC1 Alexander Bernard Bogle MacDonald RAF (551388).
Air Gunner - AC1 James Alfred Topham RAF (551613).
The whole of this crew were sadly lost on Ops on 24th October 1939 when Whitley N1358 crashed into the North Sea.
Whitley N1355 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 7th September 1939. It was delivered to 78 Squadron at Dishforth on 15th September 1939 when the unit moved in from Ternhill. Before the end of the month the aircraft had been transferred to 77 Squadron at Driffield. On 4th October 1939 it suffered Cat.M/FA
damage at Driffield when the undercarriage collapsed on landing. It was repaired on site and returned to the unit. On 15th April 1940 it moved with unit to Kinloss and returned to
Driffield on 4th May 1940. On 20th August 1940 it sustained damage when its undercarriage gave way on landing at Cottom and initially Cat.R(b)/FA damage was recorded. After dis-assembly
and road transportation to A.W.Ltd, at Baginton it was re-assessed and they rendered the aircraft as beyond economic repair and it was struck off charge on 22nd September 1940.