On 28th December 1940 this aircraft and another of the same squadron were
undertaking a prcatice dog fight, the pilot of this aircraft was the more experienced of the two.
At 11.40hrs the other aircraft struck the underside of this aircraft
and sliced off the tail of this aircraft.
This aircraft immediately went into a spin but the pilot was able to bale out and he
landed safely although his parachute was damaged. The aircraft crashed at Town End Farm,
Kirklevington. The story widely told is that his landing was cushioned by landing in a farm cess-pool; he escaped with minor injuries.
A passing motorist stopped and took him back to Catterick where he was admitted to Station Sick Quarters.
In September 1987 the Merlin engine, cockpit controls,
control column, compass, instruments, armour plate, radio, propeller boss were all excavated and removed
to Breighton airfield. Being once an aircraft of this pilot they were deemed collectable. All were sold and plans are being made to re-build it
to an airworthy condition, registered as G-CDGU.
Pilot - F/Lt Alan Christopher Deere DFC and Bar RAF (40370), aged 23, of New Zealand.
"Al" Deere was awarded the DFC on 14th June 1940. The photograph above (which may be copyrighted but I have yet to learn if it is) shows he was presented with the DFC
by King George VI. The Citation from the London Gazette reads.."During May 1940, this officer has, in company
with his squadron, taken part in
numerous offensive patrols over Northern
France, and has been engaged in seven combats
often against superior numbers of the
enemy. In the course of these engagements
he has personally shot down five enemy aircraft
and assisted in the destruction of
others. On one occasion, in company with
a second aircraft, he escorted a trainer aircraft
to Calais Marck aerodrome, for the
purpose of rescuing a squadron commander
who had been shot down there. The trainer
aircraft was attacked by twelve Messerschmitt
log's whilst taking off at Calais, but
Pilot Officer Deere, with the other pilot,
immediately attacked, with the result that
three enemy aircraft were shot down, and a
further three severely damaged. Throughout
these engagements this officer has displayed
courage and determination in his attacks on
the enemy."
His Bar to the DFC was awarded on 6th September 1940 and the Citation reads.. "Since the outbreak of war this officer has
personally destroyed eleven and probably one
other enemy, aircraft and assisted in the
destruction of two more. In addition to the
skill and gallantry he has shown in leading
his flight, and in many instances his squadron, Flight Lieutenant Deere has displayed
conspicuous bravery and determination
in pressing home his attacks against
superior numbers of enemy aircraft, often
pursuing them across the Channel in order to
shoot them down. As a leader he shows outstanding
dash and determination."
Much is written about Al Deere on the internet, he was one of the greatest fighter pilots and commanders of the wartime period and later became A/C Deere DSO,
OBE, DFC and Bar. He died in September 1995.
Spitfire X4276 was built to contract 19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and first test flown on 27th September 1940, it was accepted and immediately flown to 6 MU at Brize Norton on the same day. Two days later it was taken on charge by 54 Squadron at Hornchurch who then moved to Catterick on 3rd September 1940. On 28th December 1940 it sustained Cat.W/FA damage as a result of the accident recorded above and was struck off charge on 4th January 1941. Many of Al Deere's aircraft carried the "KIWI" name.