Vickers Virginia K2336 at Catfoss aerodrome.
On 27th May 1933 the crew of 35 Squadron Fairey Gordon K2686 undertook a cross country training exercise and during the flight the Gordon landed at Catfoss. While taxying downwind at Catfoss the pilot lost control and it taxied into parked 10 Squadron Vickers Virginia K2336. Both aeroplanes received damage. The 10 Squadron aeroplane was at Catfoss as part of the squadron's practice bombing and gunnery camp held there between 5th May 1933 and 2nd June 1933.
No pilot.
The previously published history of Vickers Virginia K2336 is not entirely accurate and while my attempt may have errors that I am unaware of it does add some corrections. It was built to contract 101683/31 by Vickers Ltd. at Weybridge and appears to have been delivered as new to Hawkinge on 11th November 1931 for storage. The published history states it was allocated to Inland Area on 3rd September 1932. 10 Squadron started receiving Virginia's in September 1932 and while the date some of their aeroplanes arrived are listed in their records, K2336 is not mentioned, but in all likelihood this aeroplane arrived at 10 Squadron at Boscombe Down during this month. As a result of the mishap at Catfoss on 27th May 1933 Cat.M/FA damage would have been the damage assessment and this saw a repair on site. The date of 2nd May 1933 is also given for the incident elsewhere but cannot be correct as the AM Form 1180 for the incident gives 27th May 1933 and also 10 Squadron had not then begun their training camp at Catfoss on 2nd May 1933. The aeroplane was taken on charge by 502 Squadron at Aldergrove on 24th November 1934 following 10 Squadron converting to fly the Heyford. On 26th March 1935 modifications were made by Vickers at Weybridge, it was later flown to Brooklands and was collected by 502 Squadron on 1st April 1935. It was used to fly AVM Sir Robert Brooke-Popham from Abbotsinch to Aldergrove in May 1935. In October 1935 502 Squadron became a bomber squadron equipped with single engines aeroplanes so all their twin engined aeroplanes were allocated elsewhere. This aeroplane next appears on charge with 58 Squadron and if it arrived at directly from 502 Squadron then they were at Worthy Down at this time. 58 Squadron later moved to Upper Heyford in January 1936 and then to Driffield in September 1936. 58 Squadron began re-equipping with Avro Ansons in February 1937 but kept one flight of Virginias though this aeroplane probably left at this stage. 58 Squadron moved to Boscombe Down in April 1937 and by December 1937 all of 58 Squadron's Virginia's had left the squadron on the arrival of Whitleys. K2336 ended its days at No.2 Aircraft Storage Unit at Cardington and was struck off charge on 18th August 1937.