At 11.00hrs on 18th October 1942 this aircraft was in the process of landing at Pocklington airfield during a training flight with 102 Conversion Flight when it began to swing to the left. The pilot checked the swung but over-corrected it and it then swung to the right. At the same time the pilot's escape hatch blew off as the aircraft which then distracted the pilot. The swing to the right continued and eventually the undercarriage collapsed. This landing was only the pilot's second solo Halifax landing.
Pilot - Sgt Peter Anthony James Grant RAFVR (1337376).
Air Gunner - Sgt Jack Wilby RAFVR (1214692). Injured.
Pilot - Sgt Frith.
Flight Engineer - Sgt Peake.
Flight Engineer - Sgt Douglas William Muggleston RAFVR (903588).
Sgt Grant completed his conversion training and was posted to the parent 102 Squadron. He was killed on Ops on 6th December 1942 flying Halifax W7911 which crashed in France with the loss of his then whole crew. He is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France.
Halifax L9510 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection on 14th February 1941. It was allotted to 35 Squadron on 28th February 1941 and was taken on charge by 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 23rd April 1941. On 12th May 1941 it was transferred to 76 Squadron at Linton on Ouse when the unit reformed and began conversion to Halifax aircraft. On 4th June 1941 it moved to Middleton St.George with 76 Squadron. As a result of the damage sustained on 15th July 1941 at Linton on Ouse the initial damage assessment of Cat.Ac/FB was the assessment by No.43 Group D.A. but this must have been re-assessed onethe repair was started as it was transported to Handley Page S.A.S. on 20th July 1941 for a repair in works. It would have been Re.Cat.B but the aircraft's AM Form 78 does not reflect that. It does state that once the repair was complete it passed to 45 MU on 29th March 1942 and it was then returned to 76 Squadron charge on 30th June 1942. The aircraft must have been unwanted as it swiftly passed to 102 Conversion Flight on 2nd July 1942 which had formed at Topcliffe on 1st June 1942. On 7th August 1942 it moved with this unit to Pocklington only to sustain damage there on 18th October 1942. Cat.Ac/FA was the initial damage assessment but a re-assessment took place on 28th October 1942 and it was written off with Cat.E damage recorded. The aircraft was struck off charge on that date having flown 242 hours total flying time from new.
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