Halifax L9564 at Marston Moor airfield.
On 20th February 1942 this 1652 Conversion Unit aircraft made a heavy landing at Marston Moor airfield at 01.15hrs resulting in the tail wheel collapsing.
Pilot - P/O Robert Steele Turnbull DFM RCAF (J/15054).
Any further crew - Names unknown.
Robert Steele was born in Winnipeg in 1918 but was living in Govan, Saskatchewan, Canada when he enlisted for RCAF service in Regina. He first flew operationally in the UK with 76 Squadron with his first operational flight being with them on 29th May 1941. Over the coming years of the war he would become one of the most decorated Canadian airmen I have come across in documenting their service. He was awarded the DFM for service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 23rd December 1941. He was then Mentioned in Despatches for service instructing at 1659 HCU, Gazetted on 2nd June 1943. He was then awarded the Air Force Cross for further service with 1659 HCU, Gazetted on 1st January 1944. This originated as a recommendation for an OBE for his work in setting up 1659 HCU and being their commanding officer and for the huge number of hours he had flown in training Canadian aircrew. He later served with 427 Squadron and was awarded the DFC for service with them, Gazetted on 19th May 1944, he was also awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 1st December 1944 while at "64 Base" and the French Croix de Guerre on 12th September 1947. Postwar he remained in the RCAF dedicating pretty much of his working life to the service of his country before retiring in July 1970. He died in February 1977.
Halifax L9564 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was allotted to 12 MU on 12th June 1941. It was received by 12 MU at Kirkbride for preparation for operational flying on 6th July 1941. The aircraft was then taken on charge by 76 Squadron on 2nd August 1941 at Middleton St.George where it completed five operational flights. On 18th November 1941 it was transferred to 28 Conversion Flight at Leconfield and moved to Marston Moor with this unit on 30th December 1941. On 2nd January 1942 28 C.F. was absorbed into the newly formed 1652 Conversion Unit. As a result of the mishap on 20th February 1942 minor Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. It was damaged again on 31st March 1942 when it was being marshalled at Rawcliffe airfield when the tail plane struck a fence. Cat.A/FA damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. It remained a 1652 Conversion Unit aircraft right through their re-naming to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit later in the year. On 10th March 1943 it was taxied into an engine stand at Marston Moor and Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment. It was repaired on site and returned to 1652 H.C.U. on 2nd June 1943. On 2nd June 1943 it was flown to No.2 Signal School at Yatesbury where it was converted to a ground instructional airframe 3850M. Nothing further is known of the aircraft's history after this date.