Halifax BB198 at Marston Moor airfield.
On 1st May 1943 this 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being used for a training flight, when, at 02.20hrs the aircraft was in the process of landing at Marston Moor airfield but the starboard undercarriage leg had not locked down properly. As it touched down the leg folded and the aircraft skidded to a halt coming to a halt badly damaged.
Pilot - Sgt James William George Parker RAFVR (1386266).
Halifax BB198 was built to contract B.124357/40 by London Passenger Transport Board Ltd. at Leavesden. On 16th May 1942 it was received by 37 M.U. and was then taken on charge by 1652 Conversion Unit at Marston Moor on 11th July 1942. Here ir carried the unit code "N". On the night of 31st July / 1st August 1942 it was used on an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf, the aircraft was damaged by an attacking enemy aircraft and was further damaged when it overshot a landing at Martlesham. Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment. The aircraft was repaired on site and was returned to 1652 C.U. on 2nd October 1942. On 7th October 1942 1652 C.U. was re-designated 1652 H.C.U. and as a result of the damage sustained on 9th December 1942 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment. It was repaired on site and was returned to 1652 H.C.U. on 28th January 1943. On 1st May 1943 the starboard main wheel retracted on landing at Marston Moor which damaged it beyond repair, Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 11th May 1943.
Sgt Parker was soon posted to 51 Squadron but was killed on 24th / 25th May 1943 while flying Ops to Dortmund in Halifax HR842. The other members of his crew survived and became PoW's but he died, possibly holding the aircraft steady allowing their escape. He was twenty one years old and is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.