Halifax W1046 at Wombleton airfield.
On 12th November 1944 the tail wheel oleo broke on this 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft on landing at Wombleton and before aircraft came to a halt it was badly damaged. Being an older aircraft it was deemed not worth repairing and was later written off.
Crew - Names unknown.
Halifax W1046 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. It was taken on charge by 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 28th March 1942. As a result of minor damage at Linton on Ouse on 4th May 1942 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. The aircraft's AM Form 78 does not state when it was returned to 35 Squadron but the unit orb states it was being used by them again in early June 1942. The AM Form 78 then suggests it was slightly damaged on 8th July 1942 which must have only been Cat.A/FA damage as it was returned to 35 Squadron days later on 12th July 1942. 35 Squadron moved to Graveley on 15th August 1942. On 15th September 1942 it received Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying accident that would have been repaired on site with it returned to 35 Squadron on 30th September 1942. On 6th October 1942 it was transferred to 161 Squadron at Tempsford for Special Duties but this unit only operated Halifax Mk.V's so it was immediately taken on charge by 138 Squadron on 21st November 1942, also at Tempsford for the same Special Duties roll. On 2nd April 1943 it was taken for a repair in works by Handley Page, not following a flying accident but probably just wear and tear. On 21st June 1943 it was flown to 8 MU and on 27th July 1943 it was taken on charge by 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit at Dalton but it arrived there the day previous. 1666 H.C.U. then moved permanently to Wombleton on 21st October 1943. As a result of a heavy landing at Wombleton on 12th November 1944 the damage was initiall assessed as Cat.Ac/FA but was the found more seriously damaged that first thought and was deemed beyond economic repair. Re-Cat.E/FA damage was the updated assessment and it was struck off charge on 20th November 1944.