Halifax L9525 at Marston Moor airfield.
On 18th November 1942 this aircraft's AM Form 78 states that it sustained minor Cat.Ac/FA damage as the result of a flying accident. I have not yet located any other information about the incident other than to assume that the 1652 Conversion Unit aircraft was damaged at it's home airfield of Marston Moor.
Crew - Names unknown.
The aircraft is mentioned elsewhere as been slightly damaged in a mishap at Marston Moor on 22nd March 1942 with the pilot being S/Ldr Leonard Cheshire but no source documents have yet been found that mention the date or the incident.
Halifax L9525 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was allotted to 35 Squadron on 26th April 1941. On 17th May 1941 taken on charge by Handley Page D.G.R.D. and was then transferred to 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 28th May 1941. As a result of damage sustained at Linton on Ouse on 15th July 1941 Cat.Ac/FA damage was recorded and it was repaired on site. The AM Form 78 appears to state that on completion of the repair it was considered for transfer to 28 Conversion Flight at Linton on Ouse but this was cancelled and it remained with 35 Squadron. On 28th October 1941 it was transferred to 28 Conversion Flight at Leconfield. On 30th December 1941 this unit moved to Marston Moor. On 2nd January 1942 28 C.F. was absorbed into the newly formed 1652 Conversion Unit at Marston Moor. On 23rd February 1942 it sustained minor damage at Marston Moor on landing, Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site and returned to 1652 C.U. on 14th March 1942. On 18th November 1942 the AM Form 78 states that it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying accident. Unfortunately the unit orb does not mention any flying accident on this date and I have not yet obtained an AM Form 1180 to get more details. The damage was repaired on site and it was returned to 1652 C.U. on 13th December 1942. On 26th March 1943 it was transferred to 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit at Rufforth. This probably came about when 'D' Flight of 1652 H.C.U. moved to Rufforth to form 1663 H.C.U. earlier in the month but 1663 H.C.U. never operated early Mk.I Halifaxes so before the end of March 1943 it was back at 1652 H.C.U. at Marston Moor. On 14th April 1943 it swung on take off from Marston Moor, collided with a pile of earth which caused the undercarriage to collapse. The damage was assessed as too badly damaged to warrant a repair. Cat.E/FA damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 26th April 1943.