Taylorcraft "Plus D" X7534 / G-AFWO at Catterick.

On 31st December 1940 this aircraft is believed to have crash-landed in the Catterick area, the location given is "Dragon Hill" though no such place has been located on modern maps to suggest exactly where this was. The aircraft is believed to have suffered engine failure and the pilot was attempting a forced landing when the mishap occured. Sadly nothing more is currently known. There is a place called Dragon Hill in the South of England near Uffingham and it could transpire that the Catterick reference is incorrect.

Pilot - Name unknown.

The aircraft was first registered on th civilian register on 1st August 1939 to Taylorcraft (Aeroplanes) England Ltd. It was impressed into RAF service on 12th August 1940 to contract B103819/40 and issued to 'D' Flight, Army Co-operation Command, who had their Headquarters at Old Sarum but the aircraft was based at Larkhill for use in aerial spotting on the targets, ranges, shell fall, etc. Although impressed in August 1940 the paperwork did not go through until March 1941. It suffered engine failure on landing at "Dragon Hill", Catterick on 31st December 1940 and was dismantled and removed to Rearsby for repair. On completion of repair it was returned to Larkhill and later loaned to 651 Squadron, Army Co-Operation Command based at Old Sarum on 19th September 1941. It was returned to 'D' Flight on 18th October 1941 but they had now been re-designated 1424 Air Observation Flight (1424 AOP Flt). Whilst landing at Larkhill on 13th February 1942 it's undercarriage collapsed and it was dismantled and collected on 21st February, but minus it's engine, by Taylorcraft Ltd. It was repaired and flew again on 27th March 1942 but was returned to Rearsby as Cat.B on 18th May 1942. It was ferried to 5 MU Kemble on 25th July 1942 where it remained in store until being sold to Aircraft (Hereford) Ltd in September 1946. It's civilian registration was restored by them to G-AFWO on 13th December 1946 and received it's Certificate of Airworthiness was renewed on 28th April 1947. It changed hands a number of times after the War and it's final flight was from Stapleford Tawney on 29th May 1963 when it suffered engine failure and crashed on the roof of Marlow Court, Willesden Lane, London with it's two occupants being sadly killed.

My thanks to Mr Graham Sharpe and Mr Bernard Martin (Air Britain webforum member) for the aircraft's history.