Hurricane V7401 at Leconfield airfield.
On 27th October 1940 this 303 Squadron aircraft suffered an undercarriage leg collapse on landing at Leconfield and it tipped on to its nose.
The aircraft had probably just been flown on a convoy patrol and landed at 18.35hrs with five other aircraft which had all taken off at 17.40hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Marian Belc PAF (P.1901).
On 8th August 1940 Sgt Belc was flying Hurricane R4100 of 303 Squadron when it crashed on landing at Northolt after a routine training flight. He was unhurt. On 26th September 1940 he was flying Hurricane V6673 of 303 Squadron when the aircraft was damaged in combat over Southampton and he force landed at Biggin Hill. On 30th September 1940 he was shot down flying a 303 Squadron Hurricane but baled out. He was later posted to 58 OTU. On 27th August 1942 he was flying Master W8664 with No.3 FIS when aircraft stalled on the approach to land at Babdown Farm and crashed near the airfield. Marian Belc was killed and is buried at Northwood Cemetery. He was the holder of the Polish VM and Cross of Valour. Notification that he was awarded the DFC was only Gazetted on 15th November 1942 and was presented to his British wife and baby son.
Hurricane V7401 was built to contract 62305/39 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. at Langley and was delivered to 20 MU at Aston Down on 20th August 1940. On 27th August 1940 it was taken on charge by 56 Squadron at North Weald. Days later on 1st September 1940 it went to 13 MU at Henlow Camp then on 16th September 1940 to 22 MU at Silloth. On 6th October 1940 it was taken on charge by 303 Squadron at Northolt and five days later the squadron moved to Leconfield. As a result of the crash there on 27th October 1940 Cat.R/FA damage was the damage assessment made by 43 Group D.A.. It was then taken to D.H. Ltd. at Hatfield for a repair in works on 31st October 1940. Once repaired it was flown to 19 MU at St.Athan on 7th December 1940. On 29th December 1940 it was taken on charge by 247 Squadron at Roborough. This unit moved to St.Eval on 10th February 1941. On 22nd April 1941 it had damage assessed by 43 Group D.A. but what happened is not known. On 4th June 1941 it went to Taylorcraft Ltd. at Rearsby who then struck it off charge on 30th July 1941.