This pilot and another pilot of 316 Squadron had been sent to Portreath airfield to collect two Spitfires for use by 316 Squadron from 234 Squadron. During the morning of 12th December 1942 they ferried the aircraft back to the area of Hutton Cranswick but whilst making an attempt to locate the aerodrome at 12.20hrs, F/O Kowalski misjudged his height and in poor visibility the aircraft collided with one of the barns at South Hall Farm, Hutton Cranswick. Spitfire W3599 was completely wrecked and the pilot killed. The other aircraft landed in much better conditions at Leconfield. There is no AM Form 1180 for this incident.
Pilot - F/O Edward Josef Kowalski PAF (P/0235), aged 25. Buried Driffield Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Edward Kowaslski was born on 21st July 1917 in Poland. Little is known about him prior to being posted "back" to 316 Squadron in June 1942 (listed in the Squadron ORB) which implies he had flown with this unit earlier in the War. On 25th November 1942 he force landed an unidentified Spitfire near Scarborough (detailed on this website). He was buried on 15th December 1942 at Driffield Cemetery.
Spitfire W3599 was built to contract B.19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Eastleigh and was first test flown on 11th July 1941. Three days later it was flown to 33 MU at Lyneham befoe being taken on charge by 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 22nd August 1941. On 24th September 1941 it moved with this squadron to Gravesend and then to Digby on 20th October 1941. On 16th November 1941 it was transferred to 610 Squadron at Leconfield. On 7th December 1941 it was flown to Heston Aircraft Ltd. at Heston airfield for repair and modifications. On 14th June 1942 it was taken on charge by 133 Squadron at Gravesend but the following day it was transferred to 91 Squadron at Hawkinge. Days later on 23rd June 1942 it sustained unspecified Cat.A(c)/FB damage during an operational flight. It was then taken on A.S.T. Ltd. at Hamble to be repaired in works. On 16th September 1942 it was taken on charge by 234 Squadron at Portreath who moved to Perranporth on 28th October 1942 and back to Portreath on 26th November 1942. On 12th December 1942 it was transferred to 316 Squadron at Hutton Cranswick but crashed before arrival. Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was struck off charge four days later.