Whitley T4200 at Topcliffe airfield.
On 29th October 1940 this aircraft sustained slight damage at Topcliffe airfield on return from Ops, possibly to Bremen which was one of No.4 Group's
targets that night. The aircraft made a wheels up landing at Topcliffe at 01.25hrs. It appears to have been damaged again at Topcliffe on
17th November 1940 though this could simply relate to a re-assessment when repairs were underway and it was re-assessed as more seriously damaged and was
taken away for repair. I include this second "incident" for the time being until it can be ruled out.
Crew - Names unknown.
Whitley T4200 was built to contract 38599/39 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd, at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 30th August 1940. It was taken
on charge by 77 Squadron at Linton on Ouse in early September 1940 and moved to Topcliffe with this unit on 5th October 1940. On 29th October 1940
Cat.M/FB damage was recorded following this landing at Topcliffe. It is believed to have been repaired on site but it is further recorded as being Cat/R
on 17th November 1940 but this may relate to the assessment of Cat.R status and a factory repair being needed. If not, it was repaired on site and
was Cat.R on 17th November 1940 in an unrelated incident. Whatever the case it was sent away for repair in work in November 1940 and on completion
of repair it was taken on charge by 10 OTU at Abingdon on an as yet unspecified date in 1941. On 24th October 1942 it was taken on charge by 42 OTU
at Ashbourne when the unit started operating Whitley's. Here it remained until the unit disbanded on 20th March 1945 and it was flown to MU storage
for disposal on an unspecified date and struck off charge on 31st May 1945.