On 18th August 1936 this aircraft was damaged at Thornaby aerodrome following a landing at night, the aircraft undershot, hit a hedge and the aircraft overturned. The pilot sustained injuries and the aircraft was badly damaged. I thank Mr T.Petersen for kindly supplying the photograph shown above that was found in a family photograph album.
Pilot - LAC W F Gascoigne RAF. Injured.
The 1937 RAF Rugby team featured a service man with the same initials and surname as this pilot and they could well be one and the same. A William Fairfax Gascoigne (563531) received a commission in 1944 to the rank of P/O (53856) is possibly his identity.
Audax K5171 was built to contract 389427/35 by A.V. Roe at Chadderton and was delivered to 9 FTS on 30th June 1936. The aircraft was written off with Cat.W/FA damage being the damage assessment following the incident at Thornaby. It was struck off charge on 16th October 1936 with a total of 29.10 hours flying time.