Halifax BB208 at Leeming airfield.
At 16.55hrs on 19th February 1943 this 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft swung on landing at Leeming airfield in a slight cross wind following a height test flight, this swing then caused the aircraft to leave the runway and the port undercarriage to collapse. The damaged aircraft also caught fire. The damage must have been less severe than it sounds as it was soon repaired.
Pilot - Sgt John Hubert Morris RCAF (R/125703).
Pilot - Sgt Robert Francis Beckett RCAF (R/120117).
Halifax BB208 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the London Passenger Transport Board Ltd. at Leavesden. It was initially taken on charge by 158 Squadron at East Moor on 12th July 1942 and carried out ten operational flights with them, coded "-V" for the first two and then "-P" for the final eight. 158 Squadron moved to Rufforth on 6th November 1942. On 7th December 1942 this aircraft was transferred to 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Leeming. It sustained repairable damage at Leeming on 19th February 1943, possibly initially assessed as being Cat.B/FA but this was downgraded to Cat.Ac/FA damage. It was repaired on site at Leeming and returned to 1659 H.C.U. on 22nd April 1943. On 14th March 1943 1659 H.C.U. moved to Topcliffe and BB208 followed them there once repaired. On 9th July 1943 it crashed at Topcliffe injuring many of the then crew. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 23rd July 1943.