Halifax EB138 damaged in the air, landed at Rufforth airfield.
During the early evening of 23rd May 1943 this 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was flown on a training flight that involved the crew flying out over the North Sea. While over the North Sea the aircraft entered a dive and during this a dinghy fell from it's wing stowage area. The pilot remained in control and landed safely at Rufforth airfield at 19.10hrs.
The crew may have been undertaking a practice bombing exercise off Filey at the time of the incident.
Pilot - Sgt William Leslie Topp RAAF (409773).
Halifax EB138 was built to contract 637/C4/c by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke and was taken on charge by 76 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 3rd May 1943. On 18th May 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit at Rufforth. On 23rd May 1943 the dinghy fell from the aircraft and slightly damaged it. Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired by Handley Page Ltd with the repair commencing on 28th May 1943. On 19th June 1943 the aircraft was returned to 1663 H.C.U. charge. On 19th November 1943 it sustained Cat.B/FA damage when the undercariage collapsed on landing at Haverford West following an engine failure and loss of control in flight. The aircraft was sent for a repair in works by Handley Page Ltd. at the YARD. On 31st March 1944 the aircraft was awaiting collection and on 7th April 1944 it was flown to 44 M.U. at Edzell. On 24th May 1944 it was received by No.1 O.A.P.U. at Kemble before being taken on charge by No.1 Ferry Unit at Pershore on 6th June 1944. On 13th June 1944 it commenced a ferry flight to Canada and arrived in Canada just one day later. Here it was taken on charge by St.Thomas Technical School at Ontario. The aircraft was struck off charge as scrap in 1945 and and was purchased by Cameron Logan of New Scotland, Ontario. It was transported by rail to Chicago for scrap.
On 8th September 1943 P/O Topp was killed when Halifax BB435 of 148 Special Duties Squadron crashed on an SOE mission near Milia, Greece. He is buried Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece.