Halifax L9610 at Marston Moor airfield.
On 5th June 1942 this 1652 Conversion Unit aircraft burst a tyre on take off for a training flight that involved local flying. The pilot managed to remain in control and complete the take off but on the return to land at 22.15hrs at Marston Moor the aircraft swung off the runway and the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft was badly damaged and was later written off.
Pilot - Sgt Thomas Henry Lane RCAF (R/80241). Slightly injured.
Second Pilot - P/O Kenneth Harper Reynolds RAF (47361).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Ronald Gowing RAFVR (941531).
Halifax L9610 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection on 7th October 1941. It was flown to 37 MU at Burtonwood from where on 9th December 1941 it was taken on charge by 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. It was only used by them briefly as on 24th January 1942 it was transferred to 1652 Conversion Unit at Marston Moor. As a result of the accident there on 5th June 1942 the damage was assessed and it was struck off charge on the same date with Cat.E/FA damage being the assessment.
Thomas Lane was born in Winnipeg in 1920 and was living in Austin, Manitoba when he enlisted in Winnipeg in November 1940. Having trained at 19 OTU he was mid way through the course at 1652 HCU when the mishap detailed above occurred. He was only slightly injured and completed the course receiving a posting to 35 Squadron weeks later. He flew his first operational flight on 29th July 1942 to Saarbrucken. He was recommended for the DFC in March 1943 when he had completed 26 operational flights, this reads.. "Flight Lieutenant Lane is a splendid captain and has carried out his attacks, many of them against the most important targets, with very successful results displaying the most praiseworthy determination to carry his task to a successful conclusion. For his fine services Flight Lieutenant Lane is recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Notification of the DFC being granted was printed in the London Gazette on 13th May 1943 and the citation reads.. "Flight Lieutenant Lane, a gallant captain of aircraft, has flown on operations against some of the enemy's most important targets, always displaying great determination to complete his mission successfully. He has invariably set a fine example to his crew." On 21st June 1943 he was nearing the end of his second Tour with the PFF when he was flying 35 Squadron Halifax HR685 on Ops to Krefeld when the aircraft was shot down by a nightfighter but the crew escaped by parachute and he became a PoW. An account of F/Lt Lane's last operational flight is detailed in Ian Darling's book "Amazing Airmen".
Kenneth Reynolds later flew with 158 Squadron and was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 15th October 1943.
Ronald Gowing was killed on 3rd April 1943 flying in 158 Squadron Halifax DT635 which crashed in Germany. He is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.