Halifax L9509 at Marston Moor airfield.
At 16.00hrs on 11th February 1942 this 1652 Conversion Unit aircraft collided with a pile of frozen snow heaped at the runway intersection at Marston Moor airfield when it drifted on landing, the collision removed the tail wheel assembly of the Halifax and it sustained slight damage. The aircraft blocked the runway in use at the time and flying was called off for the day immediately after this incident.
Pilot (Instructor) - F/Sgt Peter Bunclark DFM RAFVR (955153).
Probable trainee crew - Names unknown.
Peter Bunclark completed a Tour with 76 Squadron and was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 23rd December 1941, at the time of the incident above he was probably acting as an instructor with
the Conversion Unit. He would later return to operational flying and rose through the ranks quickly, being commissioned on 3rd March 1942. As Acting S/Ldr he was later posted to 78 Squadron, on 1st June 1943 he was Mentioned in Despatches with hundreds of other air personnel. He was then awarded the DFC for bringing back Halifax JD203 during Ops to Cologne. The aircraft was damaged by flak and he returned to the UK on two engines. The details of this award appeared in the London Gazette, dated 30th July 1943, the citation reads.. "One night in July 1943, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed for an operation against Cologne. Soon after the target had been attacked one of the bomber's engines was struck by shrapnel and put out of action. The propeller was feathered and the homeward flight continued, but, some time later, whilst still over enemy territory, a second engine became useless. Despite this, Squadron Leader Bunclark succeeded in flying the bomber to this country. Other essential equipment was unserviceable and the position became serious. With complete disregard for his own welfare, Squadron Leader Bunclark struggled on to avoid a built-up area and succeeded in crash-landing the damaged bomber in a field. This officer displayed courage and tenacity of a high order." On 24th August 1943 he was the pilot of Halifax JD310, the aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter over Berlin and crashed. He was still only twenty three years old and is buried in Berlin War Cemetery. On this night 78 Squadron lost five aircraft with thirty five fatalities resulting.
Halifax L9509 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was allotted to 35 Squadron on 28th February 1941 and was taken on charge by 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 6th April 1941. It sustained Cat.A/FB damage on 11th June 1941 as a result of flak damage. The damage was repaired on site and it remained with 35 Squadron until being transferred to the newly formed 28 Conversion Flight on 28th October 1941. The AM Form 78 shows the aircraft was returned to 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 7th November 1941 but it was transferred back to 28 Conversion Flight on 20th November 1941 but whom had moved to Marston Moor in the time it was away from them. On 2nd January 1942 28 Conversion Flight was absorbed into the newly formed 1652 Conversion Unit. As a result of a mishap at Marston Moor on 11th February 1942 the damage was assessed as being Cat.Ac/FA. It was repaired on site and returned to the unit on 7th April 1942. It was damaged again on 16th April 1942 in a landing accident at Rufforth. Cat.Ac/FA damage was again the assessment, it was again repaired on site by a team from Handley Page but it took some months. It was returned to the unit on 9th September 1942 but who were now called 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit. It continued to serve with 1652 H.C.U. until 3rd April 1943 when it crashed on landing at Marston Moor. The damage was initially assessed as being repairable Cat.B/FA but as the repair was begun on 15th April 1943 it was deemed more serious than first thought so was Re-Cat.E1. The aircraft was struck off charge on 29th April 1943 and had clocked up a total of 360 hours total flying time when written off.