At 22.00hrs on the 18th September 1942 this 102 Conversion Flight aircraft being used for Halifax conversion training and was being taxied around Pocklington airfield when it taxied into the back of stationary Halifax W7807. The pilot of L9504 had mistakenly identified the rear light of W7807 for that of one of the airfield's drem lighting system.
Pilot (Instructor) - P/O William John Weller RAFVR (128355).
Halifax L9504 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. On 2nd February 1941 it was allotted to 8 MU at Little Rissington and on 17th February 1941 it was allotted to 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. The aircraft was taken on charge by 35 Squadron on 10th March 1941 at Linton on Ouse. As a result of being damaged by enemy action on the ground at Linton on Ouse on 12th May 1941 it was assessed as being Cat.A(c) damaged by 43 Group (D.A.). The aircraft was probably repaired at Linton on Ouse and was returned to 35 Squadron use there by 28th August 1941. On 8th September 1941 it was being flown on an operational flight when the crew took evasive action to avoid enemy activity. The rear gunner baled out believing the aircraft to be out of control but the pilot regained control and landed safely. On 31st October 1941 minor Cat.A/FB damage resulted from battle damage. The aircraft was repaired on site and returned to 35 Squadron. On 21st February 1942 it was transferred to 102 Conversion Flight at Dalton.
102 Conversion Flight had a real problem with getting their aircraft servicable during May and June 1942. Halifax L9504 was one of the aircraft that struggled to remain servicable and their commanding officer took the decision to place the aircraft unservicable assuming it would be replaced. Owing to a shortage of parts he then gave the go ahead for L9504 to have parts stripped off it to make other operational aircraft servicable. 102 C.F. moved to Topcliffe on 10th June 1942 but L9504 had to be left at Dalton. On 22nd June 1942 it was decided that L9504 should be made servicable again so that it could be flown from Dalton to Topcliffe and after a further raiding of servicable parts from other unservicable aircraft it was flown from Dalton to Topcliffe on 25th June 1942. On 7th August 1942 minor Cat.A/GA damage resulted when it taxied into two engine trestles at Topcliffe. It was again repaired on site but 102 C.F. was scheduled to move to Pocklington on 7th August 1942 so this aircraft followed once repaired later in the day. On 18th September 1942 it was again slightly damaged to Cat.A/GA status when it taxied into the back of Halifax W7807 at Pocklington. It was again repaired on site and returned to the Unit. On 23rd November 1942 102 Convserion Flight was absorbed into 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (home station was Marston Moor) but continued to operate under the guise of 102 C.F. until 14th January 1943 when it was finally was taken on charge by 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit. They operated one of their flights at Pocklington so this aircraft probably remained there for much of this time. On 15th March 1943 it was transferred to 10 School of Technical Training at Kirkham, Lancashire as a Ground Instructional Airframe but the "M" serial number is not yet known. It is not listed on the AM Form 78.
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