Wellington X3166 at Sherburn in Elmet airfield.
At 14.40hrs on 29th January 1943 this Wellington was being taxied around Sherburn airfield by a No.7 Ferry Pilot Pool pilot when the starboard wheel rolled off the concrete track and into a water-filled hole. The starboard wing dropped and struck a packing case that was at the side of the concrete track which was then slightly damaged.
Pilot - F/O Alfred William Sims ATA (M.166).
Wellington X3166's history runs to two AM Form 78 cards. It was built to contract B.92439/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Squires Gate, Blackpool. It was received by 22 MU on 27th December 1940 and after a period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 12 O.T.U. at Benson on 30th April 1941. With this unit it sustained damage five times and all were repaired on site. It was transferred to 22 O.T.U. at Wellesbourne Mountford on 24th August 1942. It was damaged to minor Cat.Ac status on 11th September 1942 which saw it repaired on site and returned to 22 OTU on 19th September 1942. On 14th Ocober 1942 it was taken to Sywell for a repair in works, possibly for a major service. The aircraft passed to 45 MU on 20th December 1942. Exactly what happened in mid to late January 1943 isn't yet clear. On 12th January 1943 it received a repair on site by a team from 60 MU (which suggests it was damaged earlier somewhere in Yorkshire). The date of 29th January 1943 is not on the AM78 for it sustaining any damage. If it was very minor Cat.Ac then it may not appear. On 30th January 1943 it was passed to AW/CH and was then returned to 45 MU on 15th February 1943. Not long after 25th June 1943 it was taken on charge by the Warwick Training Unit at Docking when the unit formed and moved with them to Bircham Newton on 3rd July 1943. It sustained minor damage on 22nd July 1943 and was repaired on site. On 13th October 1943 this unit was re-designated A.S.R.T.U. and it then moved with them to Thornaby on 20th October 1943. On 20th January 1944 it was received by 48 MU and was struck off charge on 12th March 1944.