Unknown aircraft at Thornaby airfield.

On 31st May 1943 this aircraft was being used by 306 Squadron to move from Hutton Cranswick to Catterick airfields. Thornaby airfield was also used by 306 Squadron while stationed at Catterick as a forward operating base but this mishap is not thought to have been an operational incident. 306 Squadron's ORB states that at 16.15hrs this aircraft took off from Thornaby in a cross-wind causing the aircraft to swing and drift. There were no casaulties but the aircraft and engine sustained Cat.B damage. The pilot subsequently had his log book endorsed. It does not identify the aircraft.

Pilot - F/Sgt Antoni Kepczynski PAF (P780464),

Passenger - "F/O B C Kendall" RAF,


On 13th March 1943 Sgt Kepczynski was injured in a car crash when the car he was in hit a telegraph pole on route for Hutton Cranswick airfield from Northolt airfield. He broke an arm and was admitted to Rauceby Hospital, Lincolnshire and was posted to Hutton Cranswick airfield as non-effective sick. On 1st May 1943 he was posted as operational again with 306 Squadron. Following this incident he was posted to 1601 Flight at Weston Zoyland for Target Towing duties on 15th June 1943. It is believed that he was later posted to 315 Squadron and after the War he settled in the UK and died in Nottingham.
The passenger was probably Basil Clarence Kendall (105915) he was 306 Squadron's Intelligence Officer in 1943.