Halifax R9420 at Topcliffe airfield.
During the morning of 23rd May 1943 this 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was flown on a basic circuits and landings training flight using Topcliffe airfield. Thirty minutes into the flight at 10.00hrs the aircraft made a heavy landing in a gusty wind which saw the tail wheel assembly collapse. None of the pilots named below appear to have been flying instructors, they were pupils at 1659 H.C.U. at the time.
Pilot - F/Sgt Ronald George Goddard RAFVR (1261091).
Pilot - Sgt William Biggs RAFVR (1239042).
Pilot - Sgt Robert Lloyd Henry RCAF (R/114412).
On 29th August 1943 P/O Robert Henry was killed in a flying accident when Oxford DF471 of 427 Squadron crashed on Great Coum, on the Yorkshire border. He is buried in Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery.
F/Lt Ronald Goddard was awarded the DFC for service with 571 Squadron, Gazetted on 4th December 1945.
Halifax R9420 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was taken on charge as new by 76 Squadron at Middleton St.George on 25th January 1942 where it carried the squadron code "MP-G". On 27th February 1942 the aircraft was transferred to 78 Squadron at Croft and then to 405 Conversion Flight at Pocklington on 23rd April 1942. 405 C.F. moved from Pocklington to Topcliffe on 7th August 1942 and on 7th October 1942 it became part of 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Leeming but the official transfer of the aircraft took place on paper on 21st December 1942. On 14th March 1943 1659 H.C.U. moved to Topcliffe. The tail wheel collapsed there on 23rd May 1943 and Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment. The aircraft was repaired on site and returned to 1659 H.C.U. charge on 9th June 1943. On 25th July 1943 the aircraft crashed near Linton Woods, near Linton on Ouse with the loss of the whole crew flying it. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the damage assessment and the aircraft was struck off charge.
On 7th September 1943 P/O William Biggs was killed when Halifax LK628 of 427 Squadron failed to return from an operational flight to Munchen. He is buried Durnbach War Cemetery. On 10th September 1943 notification was printed in the London Gazette of the award to him of a DFM for his actions the previous month.