Taylorcraft "Plus D" X7534 / G-AFWO at Catterick (Garrison).
On 31st December 1940 this aircraft was flying from Larkhill to Catterick with an Army officer pilot at the controls. Both the pilot and the aircraft were to undertake an attachment at Catterick Garrison to join No.10 Corps, Royal Artillery, Northern Command. Probably for use as a spotting aircraft. The pilot attempted a landing at "Catterick" (but probably at Catterick Garrison) but made an unsuitable approach, he decided to overshoot. Applying power to the engine unfortunately the engine failed to pick up speed for a few seconds and by that time the aircraft sank towards the ground. A forced landing was made straight ahead at an area named as "Dragon Hill" on wet grass. The brakes had little effect on the wet surface and it ran into a ditch. "Dragon Hill" is the location given on the accident card for this incident. Looking on the map there is a Druggon Hill just west of the garrison buildings and I would suggest that this is the correct location.
Pilot - Captain Ralph Richard Cobley.
My thanks to Mr Graham Sharpe and Mr Bernard Martin (Air Britain web-forum member) for the aircraft's history.
The aircraft was first registered on the civilian register on 1st August 1939 to Taylorcraft (Aeroplanes) England Ltd. It was impressed into RAF service on 12th August 1940 to
contract B103819/40 and issued to 'D' Flight, Army Co-operation Command, who had their Headquarters at Old Sarum but the aircraft was based at Larkhill for use in aerial spotting
on the targets, ranges, shell fall, etc. Although impressed in August 1940 the paperwork did not go through until March 1941. It suffered engine failure on landing at "Dragon Hill",
Catterick on 31st December 1940 and was dismantled and removed to Rearsby for repair. On completion of repair it was returned to Larkhill and later loaned to 651 Squadron, Army
Co-Operation Command based at Old Sarum on 19th September 1941. It was returned to 'D' Flight on 18th October 1941 but they had now been re-designated 1424 Air Observation Flight
(1424 AOP Flt). Whilst landing at Larkhill on 13th February 1942 it's undercarriage collapsed and it was dismantled and collected on 21st February, but minus it's engine, by
Taylorcraft Ltd. It was repaired and flew again on 27th March 1942 but was returned to Rearsby as Cat.B on 18th May 1942. It was ferried to 5 MU Kemble on 25th July 1942 where
it remained in store until being sold to Aircraft (Hereford) Ltd in September 1946. It's civilian registration was restored by them to G-AFWO on 13th December 1946 and received
it's Certificate of Airworthiness was renewed on 28th April 1947. It changed hands a number of times after the War and it's final flight was from Stapleford Tawney on 29th May
1963 when it suffered engine failure and crashed on the roof of Marlow Court, Willesden Lane, London with it's two occupants being sadly killed.