Halifax W7804 at Wombleton airfield.
On 26th April 1944 this 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being taxied around the perimeter track at Wombleton airfield when, at 19.15hrs, the starboard main wheel left the taxiway. The hub dug into the soft ground causing the aircraft to ground loop to starboard. The tyre then burst and the undercarriage leg then collapsed damaging the starboard side of the main plane and the underside of the fuselage. This aircraft was an old one and was deemed not worth repairing, it was used for spares and the rest was scrapped. The named pilot below completed his training and was posted from 1666 HCU to 415 Squadron. He was posted as an individual pilot rather than him being the captain of a crew.
Halifax W7804 was built to Contract B73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd at Radlett and was delivered to 35 Squadron at Graveley in August 1942. It served with them until being transferred to 1666 HCU at Dalton in 1943. It then moved with the unit to Wombleton on 21st October 1943. In the incident detailed above Cat.E2/FA damage was the assessment and it was struck off charge.
Pilot - P/O James Allister Weir RCAF (J/24474), of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Crew - Names unknown.
James Weir and his crew were posted to 1679 Conversion Flight on 15th January 1944. He was then posted to 1666 HCU but appears to have been posted to 415 Squadron on 24th May 1944 on completion of the course at 1666 HCU but as a sole pilot rather than with a crew. He commenced operational flying on 1st August 1944 (415 Squadron's second Halifax operational flight). In all he completed twenty one operational flights with 415 Squadron with the last being on the night of 14th / 15th October 1944. He was born in Windsor, Ontario in January 1922, he was living there and enlisted there in February 1942. He was later awarded the DFC for service with 415 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th December 1944. Post war he worked as a medical officer with Trans-Canada Airlines. The DFC citation reads.."In October 1944, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Bochum. Early on the outward flight the port outer engine became defective but Flying Officer Weir continued his mission. Whilst over the enemy territory the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. One of the petrol tanks was pierced by fragments of shrapnel. A little later an enemy fighter closed in but by skilful manoeuvring the enemy fighter was evaded. Whilst over the target the bomber was again hit by anti-aircraft fire. Nevertheless, Flying Officer Weir executed a successful bombing attack and afterwards flew the damaged aircraft to an airfield in this country. This officer has invariably displayed a high standard of skill, courage and resolution."