Whitley K9021 at Linton on Ouse airfield.

On the 8th of November 1939 this aircraft was on its delivery flight to 51 Squadron based at Linton on Ouse. On the approach to land an engine cut out and the pilot belly landed on the airfield, possibly in error having being pre-occupied in controlling the aircraft with one engine working.

Pilot - F/Lt Peter A Gilchrist RAF (37348), uninjured.

Peter Gilchrist was awarded the DFC in May 1940. He transferred to the RCAF in February 1945 and survived the War.
Whitley K9021 was built to contract 522438/36 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and allotted to 10 Squadron use at Dishforth on 13th March 1939 and delivered to Dishforth on 16th May 1939. It was then transferred to 51 Squadron who were based at Linton on Ouse on 8th November 1939. Following the incident detailed above Cat.M/FA damage was recorded and it was repaired on site and returned to the squadron. It later transferred to 10 OTU at Abingdon 27th May 1940 when 51 Squadron converted to Whitley MkV's. It then transferred up to 19 OTU at Kinloss 13th June 1940. It suffered a Cat.M(c)/FA accident on 14th October 1940 when the undercarriage collapsed on landing at Kinloss. Again it was repaired on site by a team from 43 Group (Repair and Salvage) based at Andover and on completion of repair it returned to 19 OTU use. It suffered a minor Cat.A damage incident on 10th July 1942, presumably at Kinloss and after repair it was returned to 19 OTU use on 18th July 1942, clearly only very minor damage. It suffered Cat.A/FA damage on 20th July 1942 when the undercarriage collapsed on landing at Kinloss and was again repaired on site very quickly. It then suffered Cat. B/FA damage on 9th Auguest 1942 when it swung on landing at Kinloss and undercarriage collapsed again. After this incident it was dismantled and transported to S.S. Cars Ltd at Coventry on 14th August 1942. On arrival it was assessed and Re-Cat.E presumably as the aircraft was an old model, it was broken up and returned to produce on 15th August 1942 but officially struck off charge on 23rd June 1943.

Another internet-based source suggests the aircraft was being delivered to 51 Squadron based at Dishforth and made the landing at Linton on Ouse.