On 17th January 1937 this aircraft suffered an engine failure in mid-flight and the pilot attempted a force-landing
on farmland near Thornaby but it collided with a hedge and crashed. The wreckage was transported by road to Thornaby
airfield three days later for assessment but the aircraft was written off. The location is also refered to as being near Bishopton,
County Durham which would explain why it took three days to bring the aircraft back to Thornaby.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Vildebeest K4590 was built to contract
279218/34 by Vicker Ltd delivered to 2 ASU on 20th July 1935, it was then issued to 22 Squadron on 14th September 1935.
It was shipped to the Mediterranean on 10th October 1935 and later returned to the UK on 8th October 1936 and then issued
to 42 Squadron on 11th January 1937, just prior to its crash near Thornaby. It was eventually struck off charge as it was
not economic to repair it on the 9th February 1937 with only seven hours total flying time with the unit. Cat.W/FA damage
was recorded.