Avro 504k D2027 at Doncaster aerodrome.
On 26th July 1919 an RAF sporting event was held at Doncaster with competitors taking part from across the Northern area of the RAF. Some of the competitors appear to have travelled by aeroplane. Two airmen from 38 Training Depot Station, based at Bramham Moor, Tadcaster had flown this aircraft to Doncaster to compete. The aerodrome at Doncaster was on land near Doncaster racecourse. With the sporting event over the two men were to fly back to Tadcaster, the pilot climbed into the cockpit and his passenger swung the propeller to start the engine. The engine appears to have started briefly and then stopped so the airman swung the propeller again. No one saw the propeller strike him on the head but when he was seen a moment later it was clear he had already died.
Pilot - Lt Edward Stuart Housley RAF. Uninjured.
Passenger - Lt Jahoff Loupinsky RAF. Buried Doncaster (Hyde Park) Cemetery, Yorkshire (MX/410).
Jahoff Loupinsky was born in Nikolayev, Russia (now Ukraine) on 23rd January 1895 to Jewish parents. He (and probably both his parents) were in Glasgow by 1913 as Jahoff began studying engineering at the University of Glasgow then. Before gaining a degree he left to enlist for RFC service. He was serving with 25 Squadron on 10th July 1918 when he was recorded as missing from photo recce over enemy lines. He was been taken PoW and later repatriated on 13th December 1918.