Spitfire K9805, mid-air collision, landed at Driffield airfield.
During the morning of 30th September 1940 a number of 64 Squadron aircraft were undertaking a training flight when this aircraft's wing struck the tail of Spitfire P9564. P9564 lost it's tail section and crashed out of control four miles north of their base at Beswick. This aircraft's pilot was able to regain control and although loosing height made a landing at Driffield airfield.
Pilot - Sgt Frederick Fenton Vinyard RAFVR (748089), aged 24, Erdington, Birmingham.
Frederick Vinyard joined the RAFVR a few months before War was declared and was called up in September 1939. Only a week after this incident Sgt Vinyard was
flying in Spitfire R6683 and with other aircraft of 64 Squadron, they were undertaking a patrol off Flamborough Head. Flying in thick fog the formation became
seperated and it is believed that Vinyard's aircraft flew into the North Sea at around 14.30hrs. At around the same time an ROC post reported that a Spitfire
was seen to crash into the sea off Flamborough Head; it is therefore assumed that the two incidents are the one loss. His body was never found and he is
commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Spitfire K9805 had a long service history. It was built to contract B.527113/36 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and was delivered directly to 66 Squadron at Duxford on 18th November 1938 where it was coded "RB-R". On 27th May 1939 it was transferred to 41 Squadron at Catterick and moved with them to Wick on 19th October 1939, and back to Catterick on 25th October 1939. On 17th April 1941 it was transferred to 64 Squadron at Church Fenton but remained at Catterick on detachment. It then moved to Kenley with 64 Squadron on 16th May 1940 and was damaged there on 13th August 1940 (Cat.M/FB) when it was force landed after combat over Chichester at 07.40 hrs, the pilot, P/O Simpson was unhurt. It was repaired on site but during which 64 Squadron moved to Leconfield on 19th August 1940 so K9805 was flown up once repaired on 26th August 1940. As a result of the collision on 30th September 1940 Cat.M/FA was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. 64 Squadron then left for Biggin Hill on 13th October 1940 and then moved to Coltishall two days later, then moved to Hornchurch on 10th November 1940 with them. On 23rd November 1940 it is listed as having sustained unspecified Cat.R/FB damage and seven days later it was transported to Gloster Aircraft Ltd. at Hucclecote for repair. With this complete it was flown to 8 MU on 18th May 1941 at Little Rissington. On 16th July 1941 it was taken on charge by 53 OTU at Llandow and on 25th February 1942 it damaged the undercarriage there on take off. Cat.B/FA damage resulted after a belly landing. A repair in works was again required but the location for this is not known. On 22nd May 1942 it was flown to 6 MU at Brize Norton and on 16th July 1942 it was taken on charge by 52 OTU at Aston Down. It sustained further damage on 22nd August 1942, assessed as Cat.B/FA following a tyre burst while taxying at Aston Down and it tipped on it's nose. On 1st September 1942 it was transported to Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick for repair and with this complete on 8th January 1943 it was flown to 45 MU at Kinloss. On 24th March 1943 it was taken on charge by 58 OTU at Grangemouth. On 26th October 1943 it was taken to C.R.O. for unspecified repairs or modifications, the factory is not quoted in the history. On 14th February 1944 it was flown to 9 MU at Cosford. The plan then appears for it to be used by the Royal Navy as on 17th March 1944 it was transferred to the R.N.D.A. but this was never taken up by the Navy so on 30th April 1944 it was then taken on charge by 53 OTU at Kirton in Lindsey. On 17th June 1944 it was transferred to 1 T.E.U. at Tealing. This was only a brief spell as on 10th August 1944 it was flown to 33 MU at Lyneham for long term storage pending disposal. It was finally struck off charge on 26th April 1945. A sad end for a Battle of Britain and then time-served Spitfire.