Hurricane P3408 at Clifton airfield.
On 8th October 1940 this 85 Squadron aircraft suffered engine failure in the York area. At 16.30hrs the pilot landed at Clifton airfield but overshot and ran into a ditch on the edge of the airfield.
Pilot - F/O Joseph Benedict Reynolds RCAF (C/932).
Joseph Reynolds was killed at Bridlington with No.1 Squadron in February 1941 when Hurricane V7026 on a Golf Course. He is buried in Scopwick Church burial ground, Lincolnshire.
Hurricane P3408 was built to contract 962371/38 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. at either the Kingston, Brooklands or Langley factory. On 12th April 1940 it was received by 5 MU at Kemble and on 30th May 1940 it was taken on charge by 85 Squadron. This squadron then moved to Croyden on 19th August 1940, Castle Camps on 3rd September 1940 and Church Fenton on 5th September 1940. As a result of sustaining minor damage at Clifton on 8th October 1940 Cat.R/FA damage was the damage assessment made by No.43 Group D.A. two days later and the following day it was taken to Rolls Royce at Hucknall for a repair in works. With this complete it was flown to 27 MU at Shawbury and on 10th December 1940 it was taken on charge by 306 Squadron at Ternhill. On 3rd April 1941 it moved with the unit to Northolt. On 10th April 1941 it was transferred to 257 Squadron at Coltishall. On 19th June 1941 it was transferred to 55 OTU at Usworth. On 11th September 1941 minor Cat.A/FA damage resulted when it suffered engine failure and was belly landed at Cramlington. On 19th September 1941 it was inspected by 43 Group D.A. for another repair in works. On 7th November 1941 it went to 22 MU at Silloth and on 8th December 1941 it was taken on charge by 9 SFTS at Hullavington. On 28th February 1942 Cat.Ac/FA damage resulted when the undercarriage did not lower on landing at Hullavington. On 12th March 1942 it went to Rosenfield Ltd. at Barton for another repair in works. On 12th May 1942 it passed to 48 MU at Hawarden. On 27th June 1942 it was taken on charge by 247 Squadron at Exeter then on 21st September 1942 it moved with the unit to High Ercall. On 25th November 1942 it was transferred to 56 OTU at Tealing. On 19th August 1943 Cat.Ac/FA damage resulted when it swung on landing at Kinnell and the undercarriage collapsed. It was repaired on site and was returned to Tealing where No.1 T.E.U. now operated. On 24th February 1944 it was transferred to No.2 T.E.U. at Grangemouth. It was finally struck off charge on 17th July 1944.