Halifax V9989 at Melbourne airfield.

On the 4th September 1943 the crew of this 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft were flying a basic circuit flying exercise around Melbourne airfield. 1658 H.C.U. were technically based at Riccall airfield but used Melbourne airfield for some of their flying training around this period. The aircraft had taken off at 13.35hrs and on one of the practice landings at 14.10hrs it swung out of control and overshot Melbourne airfield. The aircraft came to rest badly damaged and sustained a collapsed undercarriage.

On 18th September 1943 this pilot (and in all probability the same crew) was involved in another flying accident with 1658 H.C.U., this time near Lissett airfield, when Halifax BB304 suffered an engine failure and was force landed. All the crew sustained injuries and the aircraft was again badly damaged.

Pilot - F/Sgt Edgar Thomas Bridson Vicary RAAF (414370).

Crew - Names un-confirmed but probably some or all of those below...

Navigator - Sgt Frank Anderson RAFVR (1563293).

? - Sgt C Johns RAFVR (1318517).

Air Gunner - Sgt John Cahill RAFVR (1495745).

? - Sgt D A James RAFVR (1179006).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt William Charles Wilson RNZAF (NZ.421339).

Edgar Vicary was born on 3rd May 1915 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia and enlisted for RAAF service in Brisbane. He was initially posted to 158 Squadron after his time with 1658 HCU but was then posted to 640 Squadron in 1944.

John Cahill was soon posted to 158 Squadron and was killed on 22nd October 1943 when Halifax LW297 failed to return from Ops to Kassel. He is buried in Hanover War Cemetery.

William Wilson was also posted to 158 Squadron, he was made a PoW on 25th October 1944 when Halifax MZ945 failed to return from Ops to Essen.

Frank Anderson received a commission on 21st March 1944. He also served with 158 Squadron and was awarded the DFC for service with them, Gazetted on 4th August 1944. The citation for his DFC reads.. "In the course of his tour of operations, Pilot Officer Anderson has taken part in five attacks on Berlin. He has proved himself to be a confident and devoted member of aircraft crew, whose navigational ability has played a prominent part in the successes obtained. He has set a worthy example." He survived the War.

Halifax V9989 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was received by 45 MU at Kinloss on 11th December 1941. The aircraft was initially taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Croft on 11th February 1942. On 12th May 1942 the aircraft was transferred to 78 Conversion Flight, also at Croft. 78 Conversion Flight then moved to Dalton on 12th June 1942, Middleton St.George on 30th June 1942 and Riccall on 15th September 1942. On 7th December 1942 78 Conversion Flight was absorbed into 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall but the official transfer of the aircraft took place on 31st December 1942. The aircraft was slightly damaged on landing at Riccall on 25th May 1943 that saw a Cat.A/FA damage assessment. A repair on site was commenced by a team from Handley Page Ltd on 30th May 1943 with the aircraft being returned to 1658 H.C.U. charge on 22nd June 1943. On 4th September 1943 the aircraft swung on landing at Melbourne airfield and came to rest badly damaged. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 13th September 1943 having clocked up a total of some 455 flying hours from new.

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