Whitley Z6640 at Driffield airfield.
On 5th August 1942 this 1484 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight aircraft was in the process of taking off from Driffield airfield when a Beaufighter landed across the Whitley's path. As the Whitley was travelling too fast to stop, the pilot took evasive action but in the process slightly bent a blade on the starboard propeller. The Whitley became airborne and the pilot flew a circuit of the airfield prior to landing. While in the circuit a panel covering the starboard engine flew off but the Whitley landed without further incident. The damage was repaired by 11th August 1942 when it was airtested.
Pilot - P/O Askew.
Whitley Z6640 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 29th March 1941. In April 1941 it was taken on charge by A&AEE at Boscombe Down. It then served at 78 Squadron while they were at Middleton St.George and then when they moved to Croft on 20th October 1941. In March 1942 78 Squadron ceased operating Whitley MkV's so the aircraft was briefly placed into storage before being taken on charge by 1484 Flight at Driffield. As a result of the damage on 5th August 1942 minor Cat.A/FA damage resulted and it was repaired on site to be returned to the unit a few days later. Within days it had been transferred to 77 Squadron at Chivenor but in October 1942 it had been placed in long term MU storage. It was struck off charge on 19th April 1945.