Spitfire K9928 at Church Fenton airfield.
On 16th January 1940 this 72 Squadron aircraft was being taxied around the perimeter track at Church Fenton airfield from a hanger towards a dispersal point when it collided with a parked civilian contractor's car. The aircraft was later repaired and flew again.
Pilot - P/O John Wolferstan Villa RAF (39768).
Spitfire K9928 was built to contract 527113/36 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd at Woolston and was first test flown on 19th April 1939. It was then delivered to 72 Squadron at Church Fenton on 21st April 1939. It moved with the unit to Leconfield 15th October 1939 and then again with the unit up to Drem on 28th October 1939. It then moved back to Leconfield with the unit on 12th January 1940 (but this was only an overnight stay at Leconfield as Church Fenton was not accepting landings because of thick fog). The following day weather improved and it moved with the unit to Church Fenton. Cat.M/FA damage was recorded following a mishap there on 16th January 1940, it was repaired on site and returned to the unit. It appears to have then been transferred to 616 Squadron as it was slightly damaged at Leconfield in their care on 11th February 1940. Cat.M/FA damage was teh damage assessment and it was repaired on site. The aircraft later transferred to 74 Squadron, probably after they moved from Hornchurch to Leconfield 27th May 1940. It then moved with 74 Squadron to Rochford on 6th June 1940 and Hornchurch on 25th June 1940. It was destroyed in fatal accident, Cat.W/FA damage being the damage assessment, on 3rd July 1940 when it was struck by lightning and crashed near Margate, Kent, killing the then pilot, Sgt J R B White RAFVR (742734).