Halifax BB194 at Skipton on Swale landing ground.
On 18th October 1942 this 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit was being flown on a training flight and during the exercise a landing was made at Skipton on Swale landing ground. At 12.15hrs the pilot held off landing and when the aircraft did land it was heavy, this caused the tail wheel to collapse. 10 Conversion Unit had previously used the landing ground at Skipton on Swale to carry out part of their training while based at Leeming. It appears that after 10 C.F. moved to Melbourne and then became part of 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit Skipton on Swale was being used for their training. The landing ground at Skipton on Swale later became the airfield.
Pilot (probable instructor) - F/O Peet.
Pilot (pupil) - Sgt Frederick Easton RAFVR (1331300).
Halifax BB194 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the London Passenger Transport Board at Leavesden. It was received by 37 MU on 20th April 1942 but then passed to 45 MU on 12th July 1942. The aircraft was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Leeming on 4th August 1942. 10 Squadron moved to Melbourne on 19th August 1942. As a result of this battle damage on 5th September 1942 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On completion of repair it was transferred to 10 Conversion Flight (also at Melbourne) on 16th September 1942. On 7th October 1942 10 C.F. was absorbed into 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. On 18th October 1942 it landed heavily at Skipton on Swale landing ground and the tail wheel collapsed. The aircraft's AM Form 78 lists a damage assessment being carried out on 21st October 1942. The aircraft was repaired on site by a team from Handley Page and it was returned to 1658 H.C.U.. As a result of a crash at Melbourne on 3rd February 1943 it was written off with Cat.E2/FA damaged recorded. It was struck off charge on 17th February 1943.