Spitfire near Scalby, Scarborough.
In the early morning of 24th June 1942 a number of Spitfires were scrambled from Hutton Cranswick airfield to intercept
approaching enemy aircraft off Scarborough. This Spitfire suffered engine failure in the Scarborough area and the pilot
force-landed it on its belly in a field near to Scalby Lodge, to the north of the Scarborough. The flight had lasted twenty five
minutes. The aircraft was damaged but the pilot survived. A guard was placed on the site until it was removed by road and taken
for repair, following investigation it was found that a seizure of the engine barings had caused the engine to fail and the engine was replaced.
The identity of the aircraft has not been fully confirmed but it is likely to have been BD517.
Pilot - Sgt Andrzej J de Nahlik PAF (P/792745?), uninjured.
At the time of this incident the pilot had a total of 354 flying hours to his name, with 61 hours
being on the Spitfire type. He survived the War and would later write a book on his life
"Flight for Freedom". It is believed that he is still living.