Hurricane MkI N2342 at Church Fenton airfield.
On 14th February 1940 this 242 Squadron overshot on landing at Church Fenton airfield and ran into a heap of snow causing the aircraft to tip on its nose. Minor damage resulted.
Pilot - P/O Garfield Alexander Madore RAF (42143).
Garfield Madore was killed on 23rd May 1940 flying 242 Squadron Hurricane P2730 over France, he was shot down near Ypres. He is buried at Anzac Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Hurricane N2342 was built to contract 751438/38 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd and was delivered to 19 MU at St.Athan on 30th September 1939. On 10th January 1940 it was taken on charge by 242 Squadron at Church Fenton and on 14th February 1940 sustained Cat.M/FA damage there when it tipped on to its nose. It was repaired on site then damaged again there on 20th March 1940 when it tipped on its nose. Again Cat.M/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On 8th May 1940 the squadron was detached to France but on 21st May it withdraw from France to Biggin Hill. On 11th June 1940 it was transferred to 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill before being transferred to 79 Squadron at Biggin Hill later in the month. On 2nd July 1940 it damaged its undercarriage landing at Biggin Hill, the pilot overshot and then made a belly landing on the airfield. Cat.R damage was the damage assessment that saw it taken to DeHavilland for a repair in works on 8th July 1940. On 2nd September 1940 it was delivered to 48 MU at Hawarden and the following day it went to 51 MU at Lichfield. On 1st November 1940 it was taken on charge by 257 Squadron at Martlesham Heath. On 17th November 1940 it was shot down by a Bf.109, of JG26, east of Harwich which killed the pilot Sgt Bernard Henson. Cat.W/FB damage was the damage assessment and the aircraft was struck off charge having clocked up a total of 170 flying hours from new.