Halifax W7678 at Melbourne airfield.
At 13.00hrs on 26th August 1942 the 10 Squadron aircraft made a heavy landingd at Melbourne airfield following an air test resulting in the tail wheel collapsing. Contractor's vehicles were present on the airfield and this was given as a contributing factor to the incident.
Pilot - Sgt E F Allen RAFVR (1343758).
Halifax W7678 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection on 3rd May 1942. It was taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Croft on 10th May 1942 but two days later was transferred to 10 Squadron at Leeming. As a result of battle damage on 5th / 6th June 1942 minor Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site at Leeming by Handley Page. It returned to 10 Squadron care on 29th June 1942. 10 Squadron moved to Melbourne on 19th August 1942. On 26th August 1942 it was slightly damaged at Melbourne when the tail wheel collapsed on landing. Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment, it was again repaired on site and returned to 10 Squadron on 4th October 1942. It sustained battle damage on 9th January 1943 that must have seen a Cat.A/FB damage assessment which resulted in a repair on site at Melbourne. On 9th February 1943 it was transferred to 76 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. On 3rd / 4th March 1943 it was lost on an operational flight. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 17th March 1943.