Hurricane P2995 near Copmanthorpe, York.
Just after midnight on 16th July 1940 this 249 Squadron aircraft took off for a night patrol of the Yorkshire coast. Soon after taking off
the aircraft's engine failed, while attempting to force land the aircraft to the south of York it clipped telegraph wires and
crashed near Copmanthorpe Wood at 00.52hrs sadly killing the pilot. An internet search for this incident reveals plans for a
memorial for this pilot in Copmanthorpe but as yet I have yet to learn whether this memorial was ever completed.
Pilot - Sgt Alistair David William Main RAFVR (748115), aged 22, of Dundee. Cremated Dundee.
Alister Main joined the RAFVR around May 1939 as a trainee pilot, after completing his training he was posted to 249 Squadron on 28th May 1940 and shared
the credit for destroying a Junkers Ju88 off Hornsea on 8th July 1940 while the Unit was based at Leconfield.
Hurricane P2995 was built to contract 962371/38/C.23a by the Gloster Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Brockworth and was
awaiting collection on 22nd February 1940. It was flown into MU storage until being issued to 249 Squadron
at Leconfield on 12th June 1940 when the unit converted from Spitfire MkI's to Hurricane MkI's. On 8th July
1940 it moved with the unit to Church Fenton but was destroyed in the accident near Copmanthorpe eight days later with Cat.W/FA damage recorded.