Blenheim V6008 near Ryther, Tadcaster.
On 23rd April 1942 the pilot of this aircraft was to undertake a training flight when it crashed in the overshoot area at Ryther, near Church Fenton airfield immediately after taking off at night at 03.45hrs. The aircraft was destroyed and sadly the pilot was killed.
Pilot - Sgt Joseph Coward RAFVR (1019175), aged 21, of Hartlepool. Buried Hartlepool West View Cemetery, Durham.
Blenheim V6008 was built to contract 1485/39 by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Blythe Bridge and was awaiting collection in February 1941. It was first taken on charge by 17 OTU at Upwood on an unknown date and was then transferred to 54 OTU at Church Fenton on another unknown date. 17 OTU was a light bomber OTU where-as 54 OTU was a night fighter OTU, so at some point the aircraft was probably converted from a bomber to night fighter variant. As a result of the crash at Church Fenton on 23rd April 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was the assessment and it was written off.