Manchester L7421 at Bircotes airfield.
On 29th March 1942 this 25 O.T.U. aircraft was found to be slightly damaged at Bircotes airfield. The problem appears to have been with the tail wheel assembly being damaged but a s result of wear and tear on repeated circuits and landings exercises. Both airmen named were killed before the end of the War. Bircotes airfield was never in Yorkshire and really I should delete the webpage. i created it as I had assumed the incident was to have been at Finningley until obtaining proper information.
Pilot - S/Ldr Peter Robert Burton-Gyles RAF (40077).
Pilot - P/O Alfred Henry Paget RAFVR (103051).
Crew - Names unknown.
Manchester L7421 was built to contract 648770/37/C4(2) by A.V.Roe and Co Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in March 1941. The aircraft was probably placed into MU store and then taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 11th June 1941 aon after the unit began operating the type (their first Manchester arrived towards the end of May 1941). It was slightly damaged at Bircotes on 2nd January 1942 when the tail wheel collapsed on landing, minor Cat.A/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. As a result of the damage sustained on 29th March 1942 at Bircotes minor Cat.A/FA damage was again the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. It was returned to 25 OTU on 15th April 1942. The aircraft was transferred to 49 Squadron at Scampton on 2nd May 1942 and was slightly damaged to Cat.Ac/FA degree on 9th June 1942. It sustained further Cat.Ac/FA damage to the tailwheel on landing at Scampton on 7th July 1942. 49 Squadron ceased operating the type in July 1942 so once repaired it was already unwanted. After 49 Squadron the aircraft was transferred to 106 Squadron on 5th August 1942, then to 97 Squadron on 18th August 1942, then to 97 Squadron Conversion Flight on 23rd September 1942, then to 1660 Conversion Unit on 20th October 1942 at Swinderby. On 17th May 1943 it suffered a stabiliser fin breaking off in flight due to corrosion on the attachment bracket, the pilot was able to land at Woodhall Spa. It appears to have received repairable Cat.Ac/FA damage but does not appear to have been repaired. On 16th November 1943 it was reported as struck off charge. It's AM Form 78 states that it was issued to No.1 School of T.T. on 30th May 1943 which is crossed out. This may be where the aircraft ended it's days.