Hurricane MkI P2962 at Church Fenton airfield.
On 5th July 1940 this 73 Squadron aircraft made a heavy landing at Church Fenton airfield, a main tyre burst and the aircraft came to a halt with the undercarriage leg collapsed.
Pilot - P/O Neville Charles Langham-Hobart RAF (77792).
Neville Langham-Hobart is regarded as one of "The Few" having served with 73 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. On 23rd September 1940 he was shot down over the Thames Estuary and received burns that would see him treated at East Grinstead Hospital where he became one of the Guinea Pig club members. He died in 1994.
Hurricane P2962 was built to contract 962371/38/C.23a by Gloster Aircraft Ltd. at Brockworth and was received by 19 MU at St.Athan on 28th May 1940. On 3th June 1940 it was flown to the C.F.F. in France and was taken on charge by 73 Squadron at Echemines. They moved to Raudin on 7th June 1940 and Nantes on 15th June 1940 but three days later retreated back to England and arrived at Church Fenton on 18th June 1940. On 5th July 1940 it sustained an undercarriage leg collapse at Church Fenton. Cat.R/FA damage was the damage assessment and on 9th July 1940 it was taken to Rolls Royce at Hucknall for a repair in works. On 28th July 1940 went to 22 MU at Silloth and on 3rd September 1940 it was taken on charge by 242 Squadron at Coltishall. On 7th September 1940 Hurricane P2962 failed to return from combat over the Thames Estuary, the pilot P/O John Benzie was initially reported as missing but a later report stated the aircraft may have crashed at Blackacre, Theydon Bois, Essex with his remains being recovered and buried at Brookwood Cemetery. Cat.W/FB was the damage assessment on the aircraft and it was struck off charge having clocked up just over twelve hours flying from new.