Wellington Z8400 at Driffield airfield.
On 10th December 1941 this 104 Squadron aircraft was being towed at Driffield airfield when the tail wheel collapsed. The aircraft was slightly damaged by flak on the night of 7th / 8th December 1941 and was still in a damaged state when this further incident occurred. The AM Form 1180 for this later incident appears to suggest that it had become bogged down and was being towed out by the tail when this collapse occurred, possibly through the failure and condition of the connecting beams within the tail of the aircraft.
No pilot.
Wellington Z8400 was built to contract B.71441/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Weybridge and was awaiting collection in September 1941. It was received by 38 MU on 11th September 1941 and was immediately taken on charge by 104 Squadron at Driffield on 15th September 1941. It was slightly damaged by flak on the night of 7th / 8th December 1941 after which Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment. The aircraft was further damaged on 10th December 1941 when the tail wheel assembly collapsed at Driffield when it was being towed. It was repaired on site and returned to 104 Squadron on 3rd January 1942. In February 1942 158 Squadron reformed at Driffield out of "C-Flight" of 104 Squadron, they took Z8400 on charge. As a result of the minor damage sustained on 26th March 1942 Cat.A(C)/FB damage would have been the damage assessment and a repair on site would have resulted although there is no mention of this incident on the aircraft's AM Form 78. In June 1942 158 Squadron commenced re-equipping with Halifax MkII's so the this Wellington was transferred to 12 Squadron at Binbrook on 4th June 1942. On 25th September 1942 it moved with this unit to Wickenby. On 27th October 1942 it sustained major damage in a flying accident that saw Cat.B/FA damage be the damage assessment. It was repaired in works at Fairfields. On completion of the repairs in June 1943 it was flown to 8 MU where it was stored. It was eventually struck off charge on 19th November 1944.