Whitley K8937 at Linton on Ouse aerodrome.
On the night of 8th / 9th August 1939 this 51 Squadron aeroplane was flown on an operational training exericse as part of major tactical and home defence exercises. On the return to Linton on Ouse the pilot's visibility was effected owing to a light in the cockpit being reflected on the windscreen. On making a landing at Linton on Ouse the pilot had a limited area to land on as concrete runways were being laid in areas, the aeroplane overshot the area the landing was attempted and it ran through the boundary hedge. It came to rest around 100 yards from the crash site of Whitley K8970 that had crashed a short time earlier.
Pilot - Sgt Edward Lynott David Bickenson RAF (563518).
F/Lt Bickenson was awarded a DFC whilst serving with 218 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th May 1943.
Whitley K9037 was built to contract 522438/36 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton. On 30th August 1938 it was taken on charge by 51 Squadron at Linton on Ouse and was damaged on 9th August 1939 that saw a Cat.R/FA damage assessment. On 22nd September 1939 it was taken to Airwork General Trading Ltd. at Gatwick for a repair in works. On 8th December 1940 it was taken on charge by No.7 B.G.S. at Stormy Down, this unit was, on 9th June 1941, redesignated as No.7 A.G.S.. On 18th May 1942 it went back to Airwork General Trading Ltd. at Gatwick for Cat.B repair. On 2nd August 1942 it was flown to 20 MU at Aston Down for storage and was then struck off charge on 8th July 1943.