Blenheim N3561 near Sherburn in Elmet.
On 29th March 1942 this 54 Operational Training Unit was being flown on a night flying training exercise when, at 23.30hrs, the aircraft dived into the ground at full power from 22,000ft near Sherburn in Elmet killing both crew. The reason for the aircraft entering the dive or why the pilot did not attempt to pull out of the dive was never established but it was suspected the oxygen supply failed or a sudden illness to the pilot resulted in him loosing control.
Blenheim N3561 was built to contract 588371/36 by A.V. Roe & Co.Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in April 1940. After a period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 218 when they converted from Battles to Blenheims around the middle of July 1940 and was based at Oakington. In November 1940 218 Squadron ceased operating Blenheims and the aircraft was passed on to 17 OTU which formed at Upwood on 25th November 1940. The date it was transferred to 54 Operational Training Unit at Church Fenton is not known. As a result of the crash on 29th March 1942 Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded following assessment and the aircraft was written off.
Pilot - Sgt Walter Hibbard Bailey RAFVR (1381194), aged 27, of Goldthorpe. Buried Bolton upon Dearne Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Observer - Sgt John Prince RAFVR (138843), aged 22, of Bedfont, Feltham. Buried Bedfont Cemetery, Middlesex.
Air historians Albert Pritchard, Eric Barton and Ken Reast located small fragments on the surface at the crash site in April 2003 with permission from the landowner, confirming the crash location. As of the 80th anniversary of the crash, the site appears to about to be taken over by the business park that has been developed at Sherburn in Elmet airfield.
