During the morning of 28th December 1940 this 54 Squadron aircraft and another of the same squadron, Spitfire X4650, were being flown on a practice 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.
Pilot - F/Lt Alan Christopher Deere DFC and Bar RAF (40370).
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 the former aircraft of this famous pilot they were deemed collectable and very valuable. All were sold and when I created this webpage plans were being made to re-build it to an airworthy condition, registered as G-CDGU.
"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 was first test flown on 27th September 1940, it was accepted and immediately flown to 6 M.U. at Brize Norton on the same day. Two days later it was taken on charge by 54 Squadron at Hornchurch who 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.
