Spitfire K9890 at Catterick airfield.
On 24th November 1939 this 41 Squadron aircraft hit a bump on landing at Catterick causing a flare to drop from its tube, it bounced back to the aircraft and peirced the fuselage and damaged the aircraft slightly which caught fire. It was later repaired.
Pilot - P/O John Noble MacKenzie RAF (40547), of Goodwood, Otago, New Zealand.
John MacKenzie was born on 11th August 1914 in Otago, New Zealand, he was a grandson of former New Zealand Prime Minister, Sir Thomas MacKenzie. He joined the RAF in 1937 and received a commission in the RAF in 1938. After this mishap at Catterick he would later return to Catterick and damaged another Spitfire here in May 1940. He was later to serve with distinction in
the Battle of Britain destroying many enemy aircraft and was awarded the DFC on 15th November 1940, the citation for his DFC reads.. "Flying Officer Mackenzie has flown with his squadron since the war began and has on numerous occasions led his squadron. He took part in the intensive air fighting covering the Dunkirk operations, and has since led his section with conspicuous success. Since 6th September, 1940, this officer has destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft and has at all times shown skill, courage and determination in pressing home his attacks against superior numbers of the enemy." He rose to F/O on 3rd September 1940, F/Lt (war subs) on 3rd September 1941 and temporary S/Ldr on 1st January 1944. In 1941 he was posted to 488 Squadron in Singapore and then later to 14 RNZAF Squadron in 1942. He returned to the UK in 1943 and took a posting to 64 Squadron in April 1944 but returned to New Zealand later the same year. He remained in the RAF post-war and returned to the UK but later retired in 1957 when he returned to New Zealand. He died on 28th March 1993.
Spitfire K9890 was built to contract 527113/36 by Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Ltd at Woolston and first flew on 28th January
1939. It was delivered to 41 Squadron at Catterick on 4th Febraury 1939 and moved with unit to Wick on 19th October 1939. It returned
to Catterick with the unit on 25th October 1939. Following this mishap Cat.R/FA damage was recorded and it was sent away for repair
in works. It was dismantled and transported to 4 MU at Ruislip on 16th December 1939 for repair. On completion of repair it was sent
to 9 MU at Cosford (ASU) on 13th May 1940 and then issued to 249 Squadron at Leconfield on 4th June 1940 but may have never got there
as it was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride (ASU) on 12th June 1940. It was then issued to 602 Squadron at Drem on 13th July 1940 and then
transferred back to 41 Squadron at Catterick on 21st July 1940. 41 Squadron moved with unit to Hornchurch 26th July 1940 and it went
with them and returned to Catterick 8th August 1940. It again moved with unit to Hornchurch 3rd September 1940. It then transferred
to 603 Squadron also based at Hornchurch on 20th September 1940. It suffered a Cat. M(c) mishap on 23rd September 1940 and was
transported to Air Service Training Ltd (AST) at Hamble for repair on 7th October 1940. On completion of this repair it was sent
to 8 MU at Little Rissington (ASU) on 22nd November 1940 and then issued to 57 OTU at Hawarden on 27th December 1940.
It was lost after it ran out of fuel and the then pilot landed on a sand bank in the Mersey Estuary off Hooton Park on 1st February
1941 and Cat.W/FA damage was recorded.