Spitfire N3282 damaged (probably at or near Church Fenton airfield).
On 27th May 1940 this 234 Squadron aircraft is recorded as being "damaged", presumably a serious enough accident at or near Church Fenton to
require repair in works. Nothing more is known.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Spitfire N3282 was built to contract 527113/36 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and was first test flown on 9th January
1940. It was delivered to 24 MU at Ternhill on 16th January 1940 where it remained until being issued to 234 Squadron at
Leconfield on 15th April 1940. It moved with this unit to Church Fenton on 22nd May 1940 and Cat.R/FA damage was recorded
following the unknown damage detailed above. From here it was dismantled and taken by road to AST Ltd. at Hamble for repair
on 30th May 1940 and on completion of these repairs on 16th July 1940 it was flown to 6 MU at Brize Norton before being issued
to 602 Squadron at Westhampnett on 19th August 1940 into the middle of the Battle of Britain. On 9th September 1940 it was
damaged by return fire from a Dornier Do17 over Mayfield, the pilot made a wheels-down forced-landing near Arundel, which
was successful, though the pilot suffered an injury to his neck. The aircraft was deemed Cat.M/FB but was quickly
repaired on site and flown back to Westhampnett the following day. On 11th September 1940 it was shotdown by a Bf110
off Selsey Bill, Sussex and crashed into the English Channel. Cat.W(m) damage being recorded. The pilot on this occasion
was sadly killed and his body was washed ashore at Brighton nearly a month later.