Whitley P4959 at Leeming airfield.
On 27th October 1940 this 10 Squadron aircraft caught fire while un-occupied at a dispersal point at Leeming airfield, the fire could not be put out and the aircraft was
destroyed. It was thought that a fault in a heater being used inside the aircraft caused it to catch fire.
Crew - None.
Whitley P4959 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 25th April 1940. It
was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Dishforth in May 1940 as a replacement for Whitley K9017; K9017 was a Mk.IV Whitley and 10 Squadron
ceased operating Mk.IV's in May 1940. P4959 moved to Leeming with the squadron on 8th July 1940 and it appears to have had a completely
incident free existence until 27th October 1940 when it caught fire. Cat.W/GA damage was later recorded on the paperwork.