Halifax L9532 at Leeming airfield.
On 3rd December 1942 this 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft burst the tail wheel tyre while taxying at Leeming and it sustained minor damage.
Pilot - P/O Clarence Wilfred Higgins RCAF (J/15695).
Pilot - Sgt Malcolm Francis Gray RCAF (R/106620).
Clarence Higgins had just completed his first tour of operations. He was probably just starting out as a flying instructor when a minor incident occurred on 17th November 1942 involving Halifax R9384 at Leeming with 1659 H.C.U. and this second one a couple of weeks later to L9532. He later resumed operational flying at the end of 1943 and was awarded the DFC for service with 431 Squadron, Gazetted on 23rd May 1944.
This was Sgt Gray's second mishap at Leeming in three days.
Halifax L9532 was also built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. The aircraft's AM Form 78 states that it was initially allotted to 35 MU on 26th April 1941 (I suspect this should read 35 Squadron). The allotment was not taken up by either 35 MU or 35 Squadron. It was taken on charge by 76 Squadron at Middleton St.George on 12th June 1941. As a result of the damage sustained at Linton on Ouse on 15th July 1941 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the initial damage assessment but this may have been upgraded to Re-Cat.B damage. The repair took many months and appears to have been carried out on site at Linton on Ouse. It was returned to 76 Squadron on 14th November 1941. The aircraft was transferred to the newly formed 1652 Conversion Unit at Marston Moor on 16th January 1942. It was loaned to 102 Squadron for a short period during 1942 before being transferred to 102 Squadron on 17th September 1942 and then to 408 Conversion Flight at Leeming on 8th October 1942. 408 C.F. was then absorbed into the newly formed 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Leeming on 12th October 1942. On 3rd December 1942 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage following a burst tyre at Leeming. The aircraft was repaired on site and was returned to the unit on 26th December 1942. On 8th July 1943 it was converted to a ground instructional airframe 3953M.