HP42 "Hadrian" AS982 at Doncaster airfield.
On the night of 5th / 6th December 1940 a gale effected a number of parked aircraft at airfields on the south-eastern side of Yorkshire and aircraft at both
Doncaster and Brough were damaged. This large 271 Squadron aircraft was parked at Doncaster and was blown into a nearby field and before it could be recovered or made safe a
further gust carried it onto a neighbouring railway line and then again across the far side of the line. The photograph above shows the wrecked aircraft after
it had been moved clear of the railway line. The time for the initial damage is given at 08.30hrs.
Pilot - None.
This aircraft was by Handley Page Ltd at Radlett for Imperial Airways Ltd, at Croydon and was first registered on 30th January 1930 on the UK civilian register as
G-AAUE. It was first flown on 24th June 1931 and then entered service with Imperial Airways Ltd, being mainly based at Cairo, Egypt. It was used as a passenger
aircraft for worldwide flights and was one of only four ever built. On 24th November 1939 Imperial Airways Ltd merged with British Airways Ltd to form B.O.A.C.
with their H.Q. at Croydon. On 29th May 1940 this aircraft was impressed into RAF service and on 4th June 1940 it was flown to 271 Squadron at Doncaster. In this
initial stage at Doncaster the aircraft still carried civilian markings. On 12th July 1940 the
aircraft was being flown from Doncaster to Turnhouse when one of the starboard engines failed and the pilot was obliged to make a forced landing at Acklington.
Repairs could not be carried out at Acklington so the aircraft's load was lightened to a minimum and only sufficient fuel was left in the tanks for a return to
trip to Doncaster which was completed on three engines, repairs were carried out at Doncaster and it continued in service with the squadron. On 25th JUly 1940 the
civil registration was cancelled, and camouflage and the RAF serial AS982 was applied to the aircraft. Following the incident at Doncaster on 6th December 1940
Cat.W damage was recorded after assessment by 60 MU on 15th December 1940.
