Halifax R9384 at Leeming airfield.
On 17th November 1942 this 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was used to carry out a basic dual control circuit and landings exercise. On one of the landings at Leeming airfield a cross wind was blowing, the aircraft swung off the runway and the tail wheel struck a pile of asphalt which then broke off. Minor damage was sustained.
Pilot (instructor) - P/O Clarence Wilfred Higgins RCAF (J/15695).
Trainee Pilot - P/O Philip George Weedon RCAF (J/10519).
Trainee Pilot - Sgt Walter Scott Sherk RCAF (R/103039).
Halifax R9384 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was initially allotted to 24 MU on 8th December 1941. There was a short delay in it being ready so it was not received by 24 M.U. until 2nd January 1942. The aircraft was then taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Dalton on 3rd January 1942 from 24 MU. On 24th April 1942 it was flown to 37 MU and then on 22nd July 1942 it was transferred to 12 MU at Kirkbride. It was then allotted to 76 Squadron on 29th August 1942 but this unit was in the Middle East at the time so it cannot have been taken on charge by them. On 3rd September 1942 it was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Melbourne and briefly served with them, it had last flown operationally with them on 15th October 1942. It was sent to the newly formed 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Leeming on 29th October 1942. As a result of minor damage at Leeming on 17th November 1942 Cat.B/FA damage may have been the initial damage assessment but after inspection it was Re-Cat.Ac/FA and was repaired on site. On completion of the repair it was returned to 1659 H.C.U. On 14th March 1943 it moved with the unit to Topcliffe where it continued to serve until 23rd April 1944 when it dived into the ground near Baldersby St.James. Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 30th April 1944.
Clarence Higgins had just completed his first tour of operations with 405 Squadron. He was just starting out as a flying instructor when this minor incident occurred on 17th November 1942. 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. He then flew with 427 Squadron.