Halifax DG394 at Rufforth airfield.

On 24th August 1943 this 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being flown on a training flight when, on take off at 11.00hrs at Rufforth, it developed a slight swing to port. The pilot drastically over-corrected the swing causing the aircraft to spin around and it came to rest with the undercarriage collapsed. The pilot at the controls appears to have been the senior officer listed below and the AM Form 1180 stated that he should attend a full O.T.U. training course before continuing with an H.C.U. course.

Pilot - S/Ldr Trevor Carter RAF (76475).

Pilot - Sgt Arthur Cyril Dickinson RAFVR (1576380).

Probable crew..

Navigator - Sgt Ronald William Woods RAFVR (1337005).

Air Bomber - F/Sgt Robert Mercer Todd RCAF (R/145403).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Frank Johnson RAFVR (1219540).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Albert Walter Salt RAFVR (1316986).

Air Gunner - Sgt Edward James Hitchcox RAF(AAF) (843241).

Air Gunner - Sgt Wallace John Robert Blakeley RCAF (R/180851).

On 5th September 1943 Sgt Dickibsib and his crew were being given further daytime instruction in Halifax DG402 when the aircraft crashed on Rudland Moor, on the North York Moors with the loss of the whole crew. I detail this accident here

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