halifax DT803
 

Does anybody have a detailed history on this A/C


It crashed on 5/12/43, repaired, and also crashed 8/11/44 (serious fire?)

Any info on flight crew, or crash reports?

I know one was Pilot Flight Lieutenant Norman McHolm

Re: halifax DT803
 

Was it with a squadron on either occasion or a 2nd line unit?

If a squadron does the online ORB say little?

Re: halifax DT803
 

Hello alanatabz,

in Andrew D. Bird „A Separate Little War: The Banff Coastal Command Strike Wing Versus the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe 1944-1945“ November 1944 page 64 is the passage:
On 8 November training sorties took place at Peterhead over the local countryside. Sadly during one of these Warrant Officer Adolf Richter, flying Mustang HB882 crashed into the ground at high speed near Maud during a practice dogfight for reasons unknown. Halifax DT803 was seen to crash in the same area. Richter’s body was buried at Longside Cemetery in Aberdeen. …..

Regards
Leo

Re: halifax DT803
 

Hello,

The circumstances of the loss of Halifax DT803 are well known!

8 Nov 1944
No.1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
Halifax II DT803
Training.

T/o 1915 Peterhead from whence it had landed in order to attend to an escape hatch that had partially opened, with the intention of returning to Wombleton. But, as the bomber picked up speed, it swung violently to port and ran into a ditch. F/O McHolm RCAF sustained a very painful compound fracture to his nose, and was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital at Kingseat, Aberdeen.

J20988 F/O Norman A McHolm RCAF - Injured.

See:
Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses Volume 8 - Heavy Conversion Units and Miscellaneous Units, 1939-1947.
Chorley, W. R.
Hinckley:Midland Publishing,2001.
p.145

See also:

Halifax II DT803.

35/NTU*/1666 HCU - Swung on take-off from Peterhead, u/c torn off and a/c caught fire, 8.11.44.
The Halifax File.
Roberts, R. N.
Tonbridge:Air-Britain (Historians),1982.
p.52

* NTU = Navigation Training Unit, Pathfinder Force.

Col.

Re: halifax DT803
 

Thanks Col

There is an audio from F/O McHolm talking about it.

http://www.westholme.com/mike/n_a_mcholm.mp3

Re: halifax DT803
 

Hi all,

probably photo from crash place:

http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/ind...ngsideAirfield

Faenor

Re: halifax DT803
 

Hello,

See also:

https://www.eastgrinsteadmuseum.org..../norman-mcholm

Col.

Re: halifax DT803
 

Hi All.

DT803, it was mentioned in the Peterhead base diary. I know the aircraft crashed on 5/12/43, but unsure where (non-op crash) anybody know where?

When was the aircraft built?

Not 100% sure the pictures in the crash place are of the aircraft. May be of another Halifax from the Pilots photo album (via his grandson).

Re: halifax DT803
 

According to Halifax crash log, it swung on take off from Peterhead 1915 hrs 8 Nov 43 not 5 Dec 43. All that can be said about DT803 is said by Col unless you are getting your serials mixed up?

Re: halifax DT803
 

Hi Chris

Peterhead crash was 8th Nov 44, DT803 had an earlier crash 5th Dec 43.