On 21st September 1943 this 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was in the process of taking off from Riccall airfield during a training flight when a tyre burst. The pilot was able to take off but on landing back at Riccall five minutes later at 21.42hrs the aircraft swung off the runway resulting in an undercarriage leg collapsing.
Pilot - Sgt E Render RAFVR (1333873).
This pilot was later posted to 102 Squadron. On 20th January 1944 he was the only survivor from Halifax JD951 which was lost on Ops to Berlin, he became a PoW. His crew may have been his 102 Squadron crew.
Halifax W7868 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was taken on charge by 76 Squadron on 30th September 1942 directly from H.P Ltd and flown to Middleton St.George to join them. As a result of a landing incident at Linton on Ouse believed to have been on 15th October 1942 minor Cat.A(c)/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. It would appear that on 2nd February 1943 a direct swap was made with Halifax BB282 of 1658 H.C.U. W7868 went to 1658 H.C.U. at Riccall and BB282 was taken on charge by 76 squadron to replace it at 76 Squadron, coming from 1658 H.C.U.. Halifax W7868 was badly damaged on 21st September 1943 following this damage at Riccall. Cat.E/FA damage was recorded and it was written off.
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