On 11th August 1940 this 616 Squadron aircraft was damaged while parked at Leconfield airfield after it was struck by Spitfire R6698 which was taking off. R6702 was not occupied at the time.
Pilot - None.
Spitfire R6702 was built to contract 19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd at Woolston and was
first test flown on 7th June 1940 and was flown to 8 MU at Little Rissington on the same day. Two
days later it was taken on charge by 616 Squadron at Leconfield. On 6th August 1940 it sustained
Cat.M/FB when it was atacked by an enemy aircraft. It was repaired on site but damaged but damaged
in the incident detailed above five days later, sustaining Cat.R/GA. It was deemed too badly
damaged to be repaired on site and on 17th August 1940 it was taken to General Aircraft Ltd at
Hanworth, for repair in works. On 15th September 1940 it was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride and
four days later it was taken on charge by 41 Squadron at Hornchurch before being
transferred to 222 Squadron at Hornchurch five days later. On 27th September 1940 it was being used in the Battle of Britain
and was shot down on a patrol over Maidstone by Bf109's and crashed near Wennington, Rainham, Essex at 12.00hrs.
The pilot on this occasion being seriously injured. Cat.W/FB damage was recorded but the aircraft was taken to
AST Ltd at Hamble where it was struck off charge.
Back to 1940 monthly table.