Lysander R9078 wind damaged at Clifton airfield.
On 6th December 1940 strong gales were present over much of Yorkshire, the winds effected flying and also those aircraft on the ground. A number of 4 Squadron's Lysanders were tied to moorings at Clifton airfield and also protected by parking lorries in front of them but the strong winds tore four of the Lysanders from their moorings and blew them over. All sustained damage. The photograph shown above may depict one of the damaged aircraft. The aircraft damaged were Lysander R9026, R9030, R9075 and R9078.
Crew - None.
Lysander R9078 was built to contract 23637/39 by Westland Aircraft Ltd. at Yeovil and was awaiting collection in July 1940. After a short period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 4 Squadron at Clifton. The date is not known. As a result of the wind damage sustained on 6th December 1940 Cat.R damage was the damage assessment which saw it removed and repaired in a works factory. It was also converted to T.T.III target towing status at the same time. Work would have been carried out by either Airwork General Trading Co. Ltd, at Staverton, or Atlantic Coast Airlines Ltd. at Barnstaple or Redwing Aircraft Ltd. at Croydon. All had repair in works contracts for Lysanders at that time. After a period of further MU storage it was taken on charge by No.3 Group Target Towing Flight at Marham but the date they received it is not known. This unit was re-designated as 1483 Target Towing Flight on 18th November 1941. It later served with 1488 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight at Martlesham Heath and on 18th October 1943 it was passed to 17 A.P.C. at Southend when they formed out of part of 1488 Flight. It was struck off charge just days later on 25th October 1943.
