Blenheim L1470 at Catterick airfield.
On 4th October 1939 219 Squadron formed at Catterick. Aircrew began to arrive in the days that followed but no aircraft were allotted to them so their commanding officer, S/Ldr Atcherley, managed to borrow a Magister and a Mentor aircraft from 26 Squadron on 7th October 1939 and then on 9th October 1939 Blenheim L1470 from 64 Squadron at Church Fenton which was collected on that date. On 13th October 1939 two Ansons were borrowed from Thornaby though one crashed on landing at Catterick.
On 13th October 1939 two pilots of 219 Squadron were undertaking a dual instruction training flight. The squadron's A-Flight Commander gave a lesser experienced pilot time in the air. On landing at Catterick the Blenheim overshot and the port undercarriage collapsed. The undercarriage and port wing were damaged.
Pilot - F/O James Hayward Little RAF (90125).
Pilot - Sgt A L Lewis.
On 12th June 1943 W/Co James Little DFC was serving as Commanding Officer of 418 Squadron at Ford. On this date he was killed in a flying accident when Mosquito HJ733 suffered an engine failure after take off from Ford, the aircraft struck trees on rising ground and crashed, being destroyed by fire. He is buried at Grange Cemetery, Hoylake, Cheshire.
Sgt Lewis was posted from No.11 Group Pool to 219 Squadron on 8th October 1939. He was posted back to No.11 Group Pool on 26th October 1939. I have not yet been able to identify him.
Blenheim L1470 was built to contract 527114/36 by the Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. at Filton and was awaiting collection in January 1939. It was taken on charge by 64 Squadron at Church Fenton as new but the date it arrived is not yet known. On 9th October 1939 it was loaned to 219 Squadron at Catterick. As a result of the mishap at Catterick on 13th October 1939 Cat.M/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On an unknown date it was returned to 64 Squadron at Church Fenton. In April 1940 it was placed in MU storage when 64 Squadron ceased operating the type. 60 O.T.U. formed at Leconfield on 28th April 1941 and the aircraft was on charge with them until 16th June 1941 when it was transferred to 54 O.T.U. at Church Fenton along with all 60 O.T.U.’s Blenheims. In February 1942 54 O.T.U. ceased operating the Blenheim type and it was placed in long term MU storage. On 20th March 1944 17 S.F.T.S. formed at Cranwell and the aircraft was on charge with this unit before finally going to MU storage for disposal. It was finally struck off charge on 13th April 1945.