Halifax BB198 at Marston Moor airfield.
On the 9th December 1942 this Halifax was being flown on training flight with 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit. On landing at Marston Moor the starboard undercarriage leg was not locked down so it collapsed and the aircraft skidded to a halt on the starboard wing. It was later found that a fault in the undercarriage selector lever showed a green light to indicate the leg was fully locked down when infact the leg was still retracted. On 1st May 1943 exactly the same thing happened to this aircraft.
Pilot - F/Sgt John Maddern Harris RAFVR (1179758).
Halifax BB198 was built to contract B.124357/40 by London Passenger Transport Board Ltd. at Leavesden. On 16th May 1942 it was received by 37 M.U. and was then taken on charge by 1652 Conversion Unit at Marston Moor on 11th July 1942. Here ir carried the unit code "N". On the night of 31st July / 1st August 1942 it was used on an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf, the aircraft was damaged by an attacking enemy aircraft and was further damaged when it overshot a landing at Martlesham. Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment. The aircraft was repaired on site and was returned to 1652 C.U. on 2nd October 1942. On 7th October 1942 1652 C.U. was re-designated 1652 H.C.U. and as a result of the damage sustained on 9th December 1942 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment. It was repaired on site and was returned to 1652 H.C.U. on 28th January 1943. On 1st May 1943 the starboard main wheel retracted on landing at Marston Moor which damaged it beyond repair, Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 11th May 1943.
Whether John Maddern Harris was related to P/O Reginald Maddern Harris RAFVR (117159) who was killed in a climbing accident on the southern side of Wetherlam on 9th June 1942 has yet to be researched.