Halifax MZ685 at Croft airfield.
During the morning on 17th July 1944 this 431 Squadron aircraft was to have been flown a training flight that involved a practice bombing exercise. On take off from Croft at 09.45hrs the aircraft swung to starboard off the runway when the throttles were opened up too quickly. The pilot appears to have been a little on the short side and his legs could not operate the rudder controls properly so did not check the swing properly. The aircraft ended up crashing into a dispersal point and colliding with the back of Halifax LW432 that was parked and empty.
Pilot - F/O Eric C Tuckey RCAF (J/27562).