Halifax DT555 at Elvington airfield.
On 4th January 1943 this 77 Squadron aircraft was about to be flown on a training flight but as the aircraft picked up speed on the runway at Elvington at 11.21hrs the pilot realised that the airspeed indicator was not working and the artificial horizon was unsteady. He reduced the power to the engines and attemped to stop the aircraft but it overshot onto rough ground and received damage.
Pilot - Sgt Gwilym Beynon Ellis RAFVR (657095).
Crew - Names unknown. Probably contained - P/O Ashman, Sgt Gilbey, Sgt Walsh, Sgt Richardson, Sgt Mayo who were all posted to 77 Squadron from 1652 C.U. on 17th November 1942 together.
Halifax DT555 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 10th October 1942. It was transferred to 77 Squadron at Elvington on 7th December 1942 as the unit began conversion to Halifax MkII's. It was never used operationally by 77 Squadron. As a result of the crash on 4th January 1943 at Elvington repairable Cat.B/FA damage appears to have been the damage assessment because it was transported to Handley Page for a repair in works (probably at their York depot). Once repairs got underway the damage was found more serious and it was Re-Cat.E on 2nd March 1943. The aircraft was then struck off charge on 16th March 1943.