Hurricane MkI P3345 at Church Fenton airfield.
On 28th May 1940 this aircraft was being flown by a No.4 Ferry Pilot Pool pilot in a thunderstorm when, on landing at Church Fenton airfield, the aircraft's brakes were ineffective on wet grass and it overshot receiving minor damage.
Pilot - P/O Michael Anthony Sims RAF (42364).
Michael Sims was killed on 13th August 1940 while serving with No.4 FPP when Spitfire R6880 flew into a barrage balloon protecting the Gloster Aircraft Factory at Brockworth near Gloucester. He was flying the Spitfire to join 152 Squadron at Warmwell. He is buried at Trowbridge Cemetery and was still just nineteen years old.
Hurricane P3345 was built to contract 962371/38 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. and was delivered as new to No.5 MU at Kemble on 25th April 1940. On 28th May 1940 it was allocated to 87 Squadon at Church Fenton and it was collected from Kemble by a pilot from No.4 Ferry Pilot Pool, based at Filton and flown north. As a result of the mishap at Church Fenton on 28th May 1940 Cat.R/FA damage was the assessment. On 1st June 1940 it was inspected by 43 Group Damage Assessors and on 9th June 1940 it was taken by road to Rolls Royce Ltd. at Hucknall for a repair in works. With this complete on 6th July 1940 it was flown to No.5 M.U. at Kemble. On 15th August 1940 it was taken on charge by 5 O.T.U. at Aston Down. This unit was re-designated 55 O.T.U. on 1st November 1940. On 11th April 1941 the unit moved to Usworth and on 28th April 1943 to Annan. The aircraft appears to have remained with them throughout these years until being converted into a Ground Instructional Airframe 4861M in August 1944.