Halifax HX280 at Skipton on Swale airfield.
During the evening of 24th June 1944 this 433 Squadron aircraft was to have been flown on an operational flight to bomb a target at Bonnetot, France but while taking off from Skipton on Swale airfield at 14.42hrs with a strong crosswind blowing the aircraft swung off the runway. The pilot was unable to check the swing before the aircraft struck an obstruction which caused the tail wheel to break. Minor Cat.Ac damage was the damage assessment.
The squadron records state the aircraft to have been Halifax HX353 but this cannot be correct at this aircraft was flown operationally just twelve hours later and this aircraft's AM Form 78 does not mention a Cat.Ac damage assessment around this date. The AM Form 1180 gives the aircraft identity as being Halifax HX280 and the AM Form 78 for this aircraft confirms it sustained Cat.Ac damage.
Pilot - P/O George Atkinson Wolstencroft RCAF (J/19990).
Crew - Names unconfirmed.