On 18th October 1942 this aircraft was being flown as part of the crew's conversion flying program with 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit. At 20.20hrs, as part of a basic circuits and landings exercise it was taking off from Riccall when a tyre burst, the pilot in control reduced power to try and stop the aircraft overshooting but the aircraft ground-looped and was badly damaged when an undercarriage leg was torn off. The state of the runway surface was thought to be the cause of the tyre burst and it was suggested that the surface be replaced with tarmac.
Pilot - Sgt David Alan Gold RAFVR (1312731).
Pilot - Sgt Leslie Jack Cursley RAF (550714).
Halifax R9366 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was initially received by 37 M.U. on 28th October 1942 and was then taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Leeming on 16th December 1941 when the unit began conversion to the type from Whitley's. On 29th March 1942 it was transferred to 76 Conversion Flight at Middleton St.George. It sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying accident at Dalton on 13th June 1942 that saw it repaired on site and returned to 76 C.F. on 4th July 1942. On 16th September 1942 it moved with the unit to Riccall where on 7th October 1942 76 Conversion Flight was absorbed into 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. As a result of the mishap on 18th October 1942 Cat.B/FA damage was the initial damage assessment but this was quickly upgraded to Re-Cat.E/FA damage. The aircraft was struck off charge on 24th October 1942.
David Gold received a commission on 16th January 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was posted to 76 Squadron after completing his training. He failed to
return from Ops to Berlin on 18th January 1943 in Halifax DT569, his aircraft crashed in Germany killing him and his then crew. He was twenty six years old and is buried
at Hamburg Cemetery.
Leslie Cursley received a commission on 15th January 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was also posted to 76 Squadron on completing his training. He sadly
failed to return on 30th March 1943 also on Ops to Berlin piloting Halifax DT563, his aircraft crashed in the North Sea with the loss of the whole crew. He was twenty three
years old, his body was never found and he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. His name is also listed on the Houghton with Wyton War Memorial, in Huntingtonshire.
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