Leopard Moth X9384 near Conisbrough.

On 8th August 1940 the pilot of this aircraft was ferrying the aircraft from Ringway to 264 Squadron based at Kirton in Lindsey airfield where it was probably going to be used as a "Hack" aircraft. 264 Squadron were a night-fighter unit flying Defiants at the time. The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing on farmland near Conisborough and the aircraft was slightly damaged. After completion of the repair on site the pilot was attempting to take off from the field but struck a hedge and crashed, catching fire immediately.

Pilot - Name unknown.


The aircraft was built by the De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd. at Hatfield, under the D.H. production number of 7067. On 15th June 1937 it was registered on the civilian register as G-ACSH to Captain Jeffery John Archer Amherst MC, 5th Earl of Arracan)(a journalist and airline executive) and based at Shoreham airfield. On 14th April 1939 the civilian registration cancelled. On 18th April 1939 it was registered to Birkett Air Services Ltd. at Heston but on the outbreak of WW2 it was put into store at Heston awaiting impressment. On 27th March 1940 the registration was cancelled again and it was impressed and flown to 6 AACU at Ringway where it was later given the military serial X9384. On 8th August 1940 it crashed and Cat.W/FA(burnt) damage was later recorded.

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