During the afternoon of 17th January 1943 this 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit was flown on a dual instruction training flight, after making one circuit of the airfield the aircraft landed at 13.20hrs after a fifteen minute flight. While taxying around the perimeter track the aircraft struck an excavator.
Pilot - S/Ldr Jonathan Arthur Nielson RNZAF (NZ.391364).
Pilot - P/O Leonard Robert Crampton RAFVR (124479).
Crompton was posted to 199 Squadron on 13th March 1943 (who flew Wellingtons) and then shortly after to 156 Squadron. He was killed on 27th July 1943.
Halifax BB254 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the London Passenger Transport Board Ltd. at Leavesden and was delivered to 18 MU on 6th November 1942. It was taken on charge by 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme on 21st December 1942. As a result of a landing accident at Lindholme on 17th January 1943 minor Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site with it being returned to 1656 HCU on 12th February 1943. On 27th February 1943 it was again slightly damaged in a flying accident at Lindholme that saw Cat.Ac/FA damage and again it was repaired on site. It was returned to 1656 H.C.U. on 22nd May 1943. On 7th February 1944 it was damaged at Lindholme that again saw a Cat.Ac/FA damage assessment and again it was repaired on site, with it returned to 1656 H.C.U. on 12th March 1944. On 23rd August 1944 it was assessed as being in need of a repair and again Cat.Ac damage was the assessment. The aircraft was repaired on site and was returned to 1656 H.C.U. on 14th October 1944. It remained at 1656 H.C.U. until it crashed at Dunscroft on 20th November 1944. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the damage assessment after this incident and it was struck off charge on 24th November 1944.
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