On 11th December 1942 this 424 Squadron aircraft was being flown on a training flight when it missed the flarepath on return to land at Topcliffe at 19.50hrs, it tipped onto it's nose and damaged the propellers and the nose of the aircraft. Minor damage resulted.
Pilot - Sgt J M Mahon RCAF (R/107588).
Crew - Names unknown.
Wellington BK490 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd., at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in November 1942. It was taken on charge by 424 Squadron at Topcliffe on 8th November 1942 direct from Vickers. As a result of the damage sustained on 11th December 1942 minor Cat.A/FA damage was the assessment. A repair on site was made by a team from Vickers at Weybridge, the squadron records state that parts to repair BK490 arrived at Topcliffe on 28th December 1942. It was returned to 424 Squadron on 31st December 1942. On 25th February 1943 it sustained Cat.Ac/FB damage though doesn't appear to have been flown operationally on this date. This damage appears to have taken some time to repair and it was not until 8th May 1943 that 424 Squadron received the aircraft again. In April 1943 424 Squadron ceased operating Wellington MkIII's so it appears to have sat unwanted until 17th June 1943 when it was transferred to 26 O.T.U. at Wing. On 12th August 1944 it sustained minor Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying accident that was repaired on site. On 4th January 1945 it was sent to Brooklands for a major inspection and once any damage repairs were complete it sent into store with 8 MU on 30th July 1945. It was struck off charge on 12th May 1947.
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