Halifax MZ517 at Topcliffe airfield.
At 14.49hrs on 12th December 1944 a serious fire broke out in Hanger No.4 at Topcliffe airfield that saw the destruction of Halifax MZ517 belonging to 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit.
The fire broke out around the starboard wheel of the aircraft and spread so fast that by the time the airfield fire tenders arrived the fire was beyond control. An Oxford that was stored close to the Halifax in the hanger was dragged clear as were other aircraft. Tenders from Leeming, Dishforth and Skipton on Swale also attended along with NFS vehicles from Thirsk, Northallerton, Ripon and Bedale. The fire was extinguished by 17.30hrs and no injuries resulted.