Halifax V9991 at Croft airfield.
On 19th April 1942 this 78 Conversion Flight aircraft landed at Croft airfield at 15.15hrs normally, after landing the tail wheel unit collapsed. Weekness and internal cracks within the casting were found to have caused the break.
Pilot - P/O Peter Bunclark RAFVR (117580).
Halifax V9991 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection on 5th December 1941. It was received by 24 MU on 16th December 1941 and was taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Croft on 13th February 1942. On 19th April 1942 the tail wheel collapsed on landing at Croft, the aircraft sustained Cat.Ac damage and was repaired on site. It suffered Cat.B/FB damage on 31st May 1942 (probably during the Thousand Bomber raid on the night before). The aircraft was repaired on site and was returned to 78 Squadron on 16th September 1942. On 23rd October 1942 it received Cat.Ac/FA damage that was again repaired on site. It was returned to 78 Squadron on 27th November 1942. The aircraft was later transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall on 27th February 1943. As a result of damage sustained at Riccall on 12th March 1943 repairable Cat.B/FA damage was the initial damage assessment though was later downgraded to Re-Cat.Ac as it appears to have been repaired on site at Riccall. It was returned to 1658 H.C.U. on 29th April 1943. After this nothing further of the aircraft is known until it was struck off charge on 27th December 1945. It's AM Form 78 has a crossed out "GIA 3791M" ground instructional airframe number and also a note that it was allotted to No.1 School of Technical Training. This may be where it ended it's days.