Whitley P5017 at Driffield airfield, damaged by enemy action.

Whitley P5017 was damaged by the enemy action at Driffield airfield on 15th August 1940 while it was parked and bombed. A team from Armstrong Whitworth Ltd were sent to inspect the damaged aircraft at Driffield and initially assessed the damage and begun to repair it, only to find hidden problems with the airframe and eventually abandon the repair and write it off. It is believed that this was the only aircraft damaged in the Driffield riad that was initially deemed repairable.

Whitley P5017 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 2nd June 1940. After a period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Driffield in early August 1940. It was damaged in the raid on 15th August 1940 and initially assessed with Cat.R damage by a team from Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. It was initially deemed to be repairable on site but the damage was later found to be more serious and it was deemed beyond repair and struck off charge on 4th September 1940.

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