Hurricane V6684 at Sand Hutton, York.
On 20th December 1940 the pilot of this 303 Squadron aircraft undertook a training flight which involved some formation flying practice with other aircraft. During the flight the engine failed. Having descended, the pilot selected a field to make a forced landing near Sand Hutton but as he neared the landing he noticed an obstruction in the field. He attempted to lengthen his glide to avoid it but struck a hedge. The aircraft then landed in a field near White Sike Farm, Sand Hutton. The aircraft tipped up onto its propeller on landing and damage to the propeller and undercarriage was sustained.
Pilot - F/O Zbigniew Czajkowski PAF (P/1014).
On 9th December 1940 Zbigniew Czajkowski was posted to 303 Squadron from a period at 55 OTU. He later commanded 317 Squadron between November 1942 and May 1943.
Hurricane V6684 was built to contract 85730/40/23a by Gloster Aircraft Ltd. at Hucclecote and was initially flown to 5 MU at Kemble on 6th September 1940. It was taken on charge by 303 Squadron at Northolt on 12th September 1940. On 15th September 1940 Cat.M/FB was the damage assessment after it had been damaged in action over Gravesend and the pilot landed safely at Northolt. The damage was repaired on site. On 27th September 1940 Cat.M/FB damage again resulted when it sustained to the propeller and canopy during the destruction of a Ju88 off the Sussex coast. It was again repaired on site and then went to Leconfield when the squadron moved north on 11th October 1940. It force landed near Sand Hutton on 20th December 1940 sustaining Cat.R/FA damage. On 26th December 1940 it went to De Havilland Ltd. at Hatfield for a repair in works. Once servicable it was flown to 48 MU at Hawarden on 5th February 1941 then on 20th April 1941 it was taken on charge by 46 Squadron at Sherburn in Elmet. On 13th May 1941 Cat.M/FA damage resulted when it belly landed at Sherburn in Elmet and it was again repaired on site. On 17th July 1941 it was transferred to 121 Squadron at Kirton in Lindsey, then on 25th July 1941 it was transferred to 55 OTU at Usworth. On 11th October 1941 the pilot crashed on landing at Burn airfield which saw Cat.A/FA damage. It was again repaired on site. On 16th February 1942 it was flown to 19 MU at St.Athan and then on 26th March 1942 it was taken on charge by 56 OTU at Tealing. On 22th August 1942 it crashed in a forced landing near Arboath, Angus. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge.