On 27th June 1940 this 249 Squadron aircraft made a heavy landing at Leconfield airfield and sustained a broken undercarriage, it then tipped on to its nose.
Pilot - P/O James Reginald Bryan Meaker RAF (42514).
James Meaker was born in Kinsale, Co.Cork in January 1919, he was granted a short service commission in the RAF on 26th June 1939. After a series of non-operational postings he eventually ended up at 46 Squadron at Digby in March 1940. This posting was only a brief one as on 4th May 1940 he was posted to 263 Squadron at Scapa Flow flying Gladiators before the unit sailed for Norway to carry out patrols. On 7th June 1940 the squadron withdrew to the UK. He was posted to 249 Squadron at Leconfield towards the end of June 1940. On 27th June 1940 he made a heavy landing at Leconfield in Hurricane P3661 which damaged the undercarriage. On 16th July 1940 P/O Meaker hit an obstacle on a night take off at Church Fenton in Hurricane P3057 of 249 Squadron but escaped unhurt. On 27th September 1940 Meaker was killed when Hurricane P3834, of 249 Squadron, then at North Weald, was shot down by return fire from a Ju88. His aircraft crashed at Dallington, Sussex and while he baled, he hit the tailplane and fell dead at Warren Field, Brightling Park. He is buried West Dean Cemetery, Chichester, Essex.
Hurricane P3661 was built to contract 962371/38 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd and was flown to 22 MU at Silloth on 23rd May 1940. It was initially taken on charge by 234 Squadron at Church Fenton on 11th June 1940. A few days later it was transferred to 249 Squadron at Leconfield. On 27th June 1940 it sustained this damage at Leconfield which saw a Cat.R/FA damage assessment. From here it was taken down to Rolls Royce Ltd. at Hucknall on 29th June 1940. With it repaired, on 26th July 1940 it went to 15 MU at Wroughton and was then taken on charge by 79 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 1st September 1940. Seven days later this squadron moved to Pembrey. On 20th September 1940 it overshot on landing there and tipped on it's nose. Cat.M/FA damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On 4th April 1941 it crashed into the sea around three miles off Linney Head when the pilot lost control in a searchlight beam. Unfortunately the pilot was killed. Cat.W/FA damage recorded on the paperwork and the aircraft was struck off charge. It had clocked up a total of 212 hours flying from new.