Magister R1918 somewhere in Yorkshire.
On either 4th or 5th October 1940 this 302 Squadron Magister force landed due to engine failure after the aircraft's port fuel tank
was allowed to run dry and as a result it left an airlock in the fuel system. The aircraft was force landed somewhere, presumed to have
been in Yorkshire as the Squadron were based at Leconfield at the time. The two crew are believed to have been injured. Some days later
both airmen were posted to SHQ Northolt; the pilot on 28th October and the passenger the following day, both as
"non-effective sick". Sadly the identity of the aircraft involved was not recorded on the Unit ORB however research
by regular contributer to this website, Mr Graham Sharpe, gives the probable identity of the aircraft to be R1918.
Pilot - S/Ldr Piotr Laguna PAF (P1287). Injured?
Passenger (Pilot) - F/Lt James Anderson Thomson RAF (37579). Injured?
Piotr Laguna was born on 11th November 1905 and was a pilot in Poland before Poland fell to the German forces. He then flew in France
before arriving in England by boat. He was posted to the newly formed 302 Squadron at Leconfield on July 23rd 1940 as 'A' Flight Commander. He recovered from
his slight injuries sustained in this incident in October 1940 and was then awarded the Polish K.W. medal on 23rd December 1940. On 31st December 1940
he took command of 302 Squadron. On June 27th 1941 he led the Northolt Wing over France on a flight at low-level but was shot down by ground fire
near Coquelles, Calais, in Spitfire P8331 and was sadly killed. Piotr Laguna is buried in Pihen-les-Guines Cemetery. He was awarded the Polish V.M.
(5th Class) after his death on 15th July 1941.
James Thomson was born on September 1940 and was granted his Commission in November 1935. He had served with 56, 73, 607 and 245 Squadron prior to being
posted to 302 Squadron to command "A" Flight. On 29th October 1940 he was flying Hurricane P3085 when he collided with another Hurricane which crashed over
Brooklands and dispite slight injuries he baled out. He later commanded 258 Squadron begining September 1941 with the unit planned on posting to Malta but
the aircraft carrier was sunk en-route. The plans had to be charged and they were later posted to Singapore. He was promoted to F/Lt on 25th June 1940, S/Ldr (temp) on 1st September 1941
and to S/Ldr (war subs) on 14th August 1942. He transferred to the Reserve on 25th November 1944 and was called up for
service with immediate effect. Having survived the War he remained in the RAF until December 1957.
Magister R1918 was built to contract 778435/38 by Phillips & Powys Ltd, at Hanworth and was awaiting collection in December 1939.
After a lengthy period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 302 Squadron at Leconfield on or soon after 13th July 1940 when
the unit formed. The aircraft was possibly the aircraft involved in this incident detailed above and if so sustained Cat.R/FA damage
on either 4th or 5th October 1940. After repair it then served with Kenley Station Flight, Martlesham Heath Station Flight and then
5 EFTS at Meir until the unit disbanded on 23rd December 1941. It then was used by the CFS at Upavon until 1st April 1942 when the
unit was re-designated 7 FIS but transferred to ECFA on 1st April 1942 based at Hullavington. It finally served with 16(P)FTS at
Hucknall). Finally it was placed into a lengthy period of MU storage and finally struck off charge on 2nd July 1946.