Shark L2353 at Thornaby airfield.

On 21st March 1939 the pilot of this aircraft was undertaking a flight from Abbotsinch to Ford and he landed at Thornaby to refuel. When this was done the pilot cut across the rough grass aerodrone to get into position for take off but collided with a tractor while taxying. The aircraft sustained damage but how serious this was is not known.

Pilot - Acting Sub Lt Ian Edward McLean Methven RN.

Ian Methven was born in Grimsby in 1916, he married in Kensington, London in 1951 and died in Chelmsford in 1998. He was granted a short servive commission in the RAF on 18th May 1937 to the rank of Acting P/O on probation and graded as P/O on 15th March 1938 but relinquished his RAF commission on 22nd August 1938 on appointment to the Air Branch of the Royal Navy. It is possible that he later transferred to the The Hampshire Regiment as a Lt Ian Methven (95625) was awarded the MBE on 18th February 1943.