Stirling IV LJ919 at Marston Moor airfield.

On 22nd August 1945 this 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was to have been flown on what would have been the pilot's first solo training flight piloting the Halifax type when, on take off from Marston Moor airfield at 23.30hrs the aircraft began to swing slightly. The pilot managed to correct the swing but a undercarriage leg then collapsed. The damage was inspected and it was thought that the undercarriage leg had probably been previously damaged due to strain on an earlier landing or a series of landings, the damaged area was on a tube hidden by a sleeve. The damage was initially assessed as being repairable Cat.B but a further assessment then struck the aircraft off charge.

Pilot - W/O Ernest Frank Scadding RAFVR (963388).