Spitfire L1073 at Leconfield airfield.
On 19th September 1940 this 64 Squadron aircraft landed at Leconfield airfield but the aircraft struck a slight ridge on landing and the undercarriage collapsed.
Pilot - Sgt John Whelan RAF (565046).
John Whelan served with 64 Squadron during the first part of the Battle of Britain. He was flying Spitfire P9450 that was damaged in combat on 11th August 1940 and crash landed at Kenley. He left 64 Squadron in late-September 1940 and was posted to 19 Squadron. He received a commission in 1943 and was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1945 and made an MBE in 1959. He died in 1996.
Spitfire L1073 was built to contract 527113/36 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and first test flown on 9th August 1939. On 15th August
1939 it was taken on charge by 41 Squadron at Catterick. On 19th October 1939 it moved with unit to Wick and on 25th October 1939 back to Catterick with the unit. On 2nd May 1940 it transferred to 64 Squadron who had a detachment at Catterick at the time. On 16th May 1940 it moved with the unit down to Kenley and on 19th
August 1940 it was moved north with the unit to Leconfield. It sustained Cat.R/FA at Leconfield on 19th September 1940 as stated and was deemed repairable in a works factory. On 24th September 1940 it was dismantled and transported to Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick for repair. On completion of repair and after a test flight it was
taken on charge by 24 MU at Tern Hill on 15th November 1940 where it remained in storage for some time. On 8th April 1941 it was taken on charge by 53 OTU at Heston but on
21st April 1941 it was reported damaged Cat.R/FA in a flying accident but no details given. Again it was repaired in works, on 4th
September 1941 it was dismantled and transported to AST Ltd. at Exeter but after assessment it was deemed more seriously damaged than
first thought and it was deemed beyond repair and struck off charge on 1st October 1941.