Halifax MZ625 at Topcliffe airfield.
At 00.55hrs on 14th February 1945 this 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being taxied along the perimeter track at Topcliffe airfield prior to taking off for a basic night circuits and landings exercise when the pilot noticed another aircraft in front of him when just ten feet away from it. This turned out to be Halifax MZ656 that had been stopped on the perimeter track due to an electrical problem with the undercarriage warning lights. No tail light or other warning lights on the other aircraft were visible and the pilots did not see any other warning lights. With not enough time to bring the aircraft to a halt Halifax MZ625 ran into the back of Halifax MZ656 and both aircraft sustained damage. MZ625 sustained broken propellers on the starboard side The rear gunner of MZ656 was very luck and appears to have escaped injury.
Pilot - F/O James Fraser Dunlop DFC RCAF (J/19623).
Pilot - F/O Martindale RCAF (probably F/O R A C Martindale RCAF (J/17865)).