Blenheim Z5746 at Driffield airfield.
On 24th December 1940 this 2 (C)O.T.U. ircraft was slightly damaged on landing at Driffield airfield at 21.20hrs. It must have only sustained slight damage as it was destroyed in a crash in the Peak District some weeks later.
Pilot - Sgt Maurice Ridgeway Stevens RAFVR (741129).
Second Pilot - P/O James Alastair Duff RAFVR (86716).
Maurice Stephens received a commission on 10th June 1941 to the rank of P/O on probation (102074). He lost his life on 12th June 1941 while serving with 235 Squadron. His
body was never found and he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
James Duff received a commission on 19th October 1940 (with seniority back dated to 12th October 1940). P/O James Duff was later posted to 254 Squadron, on 22nd March 1941
he was killed flying Blenheim L9406 with them, he was twenty five years old and is buried at Haugesund Var Frelsers Cemetery, Norway.
Blenheim Z5746 was built to contract B119994/40 by A.V.Roe & Co. Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in July 1940 but spent a lengthy period in MU storage. It was
eventually taken on charge by 2 (C)O.T.U. at Catfoss soon after the unit formed on 1st October 1940. It sustained Cat.M/FA as a result of the incident at Driffield on 24th December 1940
as stated above. It was then repaired on site and returned to unit but written off in a crash on 26th January 1941, Cat.W/FA damage recorded, when flew into high ground in
blizzard at Burbage Moor, Sheffield with the loss of it's then crew of three.