Halifax BB273 at Marston Moor airfield.
O#at 17.45hrs on 20th February 1943 this 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was taxying at Marston Moor airfield when the pilot decided to taxi off the hard standing and onto soft ground. The aircraft became bogged down and in trying to free the aircraft the tail wheel then collapsed.
Pilot - W/O F S Smith RCAF (R/80166).
Halifax BB273 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the London Passenger Transport Board Ltd, at Leavesden and was taken on charge by 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit at Marston Moor on 29th December 1942. As a result of loosing the tail wheel there on 20th February 1943 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site, with it being returned to 1652 H.C.U. use on 9th March 1943. On 19th March 1943 it crashed on take off from Marston Moor, Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge.