Spitfire K9946 near Catfoss airfield.
On 5th March 1940 this 616 Squadron aircraft suffered engine failure on take off from Catfoss and the pilot made a crash landing around half a mile south of Catfoss airfield. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Pilot - P/O Herbert Keith Laycock RAF (40925).
Spitfire K9946 was built to contract 527113/36 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd at Woolston and was first test flown on 24th April 1939. It was delivered to 66 Squadron at
Duxford on 28th April 1939 then transferred to 616 Squadron at Leconfield on 17th November 1939. It moved with unit to Catfoss on 23rd February 1940. Following the incident on 5th March 1940 Cat.W/FA damage was recorded, after assessment it was declared beyond economic repair and struck off charge on 16th May 1940.
Herbert Laycock was granted a commission in the RAF in May 1938 and was posted to 616 Squadron in September 1939. On 1st June 1940 he was credited with damaging a Heinkel He111. he was posted to 79 Squadron in July 1940 and then to 87 Squadron in October 1940 flying through the Battle of Britain. While serving with 603 Squadron he was killed on 26th August 1943 and is buried in Athens, Greece.