Halifax W7772 at Snaith airfield.
At 20.00hrs on 15th January 1943 this 51 Squadron aircraft was taxying at Snaith airfield prior to taking off. The pilot noticed a van infront of him and the van left the perimeter track but became bogged down just off it. The pilot then noticed a torch light near it which he assumed was someone signalling to him to proceed. When the aircraft got to the van the pilot realised that the port wing would not clear it so was forced to leave the perimeter track to avoid a vehicle. Unfortunately the tail wheel oleo broke whilst leaving the concrete.
Pilot - WO Bernard William Clayton RAFVR (998503).
Halifax W7772 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was initially taken on charge by 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds on 7th July 1942 before being transferred to 51 Squadron at Snaith once they began conversion to fly Halifaxes on 1st November 1943. It was used on their first Halifax operational sortie on 9th January 1943. As a result of the minor damage sustained at Snaith on 15th January 1943 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment. It was repaired on site and returned to 51 Squadron on 9th February 1943. The aircraft sustained minor Cat.A/FB damage as a result of battle damage on 5th March 1943 and was repaired on site (apparently within three days, when it next appears being used on Ops). The aircraft then disappears from operational use with 51 Squadron in April 1943. On 12th May 1943 the AM Form 78 states that a repair on site by Handley Page was begun and that it was returned to 51 Squadron on 5th July 1943. It was transferred to 10 Squadron at Melbourne on 20th August 1943 and does not appear to have been used on operationally by them. On 18th September 1943 it was transferred to 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit at Wigsley and was then quickly moved on to 1668 H.C.U. at Balderton. On 28th November 1943 it passed to 1656 H.C.U. at Lindholme. On 5th January 1944 it crashed at Grimley, Nottinghamshire. This accident saw Cat.E2/FA damage be the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 16th January 1944.