Halifax L9502 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
Following an airtest on 12th June 1941 this 35 Squadron aircraft landed at Linton on Ouse airfield at 20.00hrs but with a slight drift. Structural weakness in the tail wheel assembly caused it to break, the aircraft swung out of control and the undercarriage collapsed. This incident is believed to have been an airtest prior to it being used on an operational flight to Huls later that evening.
Pilot - F/O Peter Langmead RAFVR (86629).
Crew - Names unknown.
Peter Langmead received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 7th September 1940 and was later promoted to F/O on 7th September 1941 and to F/Lt a year later.
He and his crew were flying Halifax L9502 on Ops on 7th / 8th July 1941 and they became PoWs.
Halifax L9502 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection on 5th January 1941. It was allotted to 24 MU at Ternhill on 24th January 1941 and the allotted to 35 Squadron on 17th February 1942. It was taken on charge by 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 25th February 1941. As a result of the mishap on 12th June 1941 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment. The aircraft's AM Form 78 lists a damage assessment by No,43 Group D.A. but does not give date, this is almost certainly to assess the damage of 12th June 1941. The aircraft was quickly repaired on site and it was returned to 35 Squadron. On 8th July 1941 it failed to return from Ops to Frankfurt, the seven crew
survived but became prisoners of war, Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the airframe. It was struck off charge on 9th July 1941.