Spitfire near Wintringham.
On the 23rd of October 1950 a Spitfire of the Central Gunnery School was on a "Cine Combat" training flight when the aircraft
caught fire in mid-air inside the cockpit area.
The pilot tried to put the fire out but his attempts failed and he was forced to bale out. He landed near Wold Farm, West Heslerton
and the aircraft crashed nearby in the region of Wintringham at 14.56hrs. The flight had lasted for 51 minutes.
Pilot - F/Lt Thomas A Carson DFC RAF (183026), slightly injured with minor burns to his hands.
""The officer has participated in a large number of sorties, including many harassing attacks on the enemy in various battle areas. He has
at all times displayed the greatest keenness and has invariably pressed home his attacks from close range. Among his successes is the destruction
of two enemy aircraft".
The pilot was an experinced pilot when this incident occured; having a total of 1081 hours flying time to his name, 386 hours
being on the Spitfire. He was Commissioned in August 1944 and while a P/O he was awarded the DFC for services with 19 Sqdn in April 1945.
The citation for the DFC reads..
My wifes cousins partner is making plans for a site visit.