Wellington Z1718 at Dalton airfield.
On 31st December 1942 this 428 Squadron aircraft burst a tyre on landing at Dalton airfield which caused some minor damage to the aircraft. The aircraft was one of four that arrived at 428 Squadron on 1st December 1942.
Pilot - Sgt Peter William Manning RAFVR (1332285).
Crew possibly..
Bomb Aimer - Sgt William Edward Beavo RCAF (R/121724).
Wireless Operator - Sgt Graham MacLeod.
Navigator - Sgt John David Hawkins RCAF (R/99626).
Air Gunner - Sgt Gordon Campbell McKay RCAF (R/129636).
Peter Manning received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 20th January 1943 (139637) and rose to F/O on 20th July 1943. After serving with 428 Squadron he and his crew were posted to 405 Squadron on 11th May 1943. On 17th August 1943 he was flying Halifax HR856 on Ops to Turin when the aircraft was lost with trace. He (and Beavo, Hawkins and McKay) are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. He was awarded the DFC, Gazetted after his death on 14th September 1943 for service with 405 Squadron. The citation for his DFC, as located by Hugh Halliday, reads.."..fearless and conscientious pilot; in raids on many major targets including Essen, Cologne and Dusseldorf. In face of heavy opposition has invariably displayed courage and coolness of a high order."
Wellington Z1718 was built to contract B.97887/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd at Hawarden, Chester and was awaiting collection in April 1942. It was flown to 12 MU on 6th May 1942 and was passed between them and 22 MU before being taken on charge by 428 Squadron at Dalton on 1st December 1942 shortly after the unit had formed on 7th November 1942. As a result of the minor damage sustained on 31st December 1942 Cat.A/FA damage was the assessment, it was repaired on site and returned to the unit. The incident is not recorded on the aircraft's AM Form 78. The aircraft was transferred to 18 O.T.U. at Bramcote on 30th April 1943 (where it was damaged in a flying accident on 14th September 1943 to Cat.Ac/FA status). It was transferred to 27 O.T.U. at Lichfield on 18th June 1944 before being placed in MU storage pending disposal. It was struck off charge on 2nd May 1945.