Tiger Moth BB808 near Yeadon airfield?
On 1st June 1941 this 20 E.F.T.S. aircraft was being flown on a training flight with the pilot undertaking a series of stall-turns, during one of these turns the engine stopped and would not restart so the pilot made a forced landing. The location of the landing is not yet known but it was probably near Yeadon airfield where it was based.
Instructor Pilot - P/O John Follett Bristow RAFVR (80953).
Pupil Pilot - Name unknown (if any).
This Tiger Moth was built as a civilian aircraft. It was initially purchased from De Havilland Aircraft Ltd. at Hatfield by Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick and was registered on the UK civilian registered as G-ADWN on 9th December 1935. On 17th February 1936 Scottish Aviation Ltd. began operating as 12 E & R.F.T.S. at Prestwick and on 3rd September 1939 12 E & R.F.T.S. was re-designated as 12 E.F.T.S. During this time it operated under it's civilian registration G-ADWN. On 12th October 1940 the aircraft was impressed for RAF service and given the serial BB808. On 22nd March 1941 12 E.F.T.S. disbanded, it was then taken on charge by 20 E.F.T.S. at Yeadon on 20th April 1941. The aircraft may have sustained no damage as a result of the incident near Yeadon on 1st June 1941. If this was the case then Cat.U damage would have been the damage assessment and this would explain why any damage would not be listed in the published Air Britain of this aircraft's history. On 9th January 1942 20 E.F.T.S. disbanded so on 31st January 1942 it was taken on charge by 24 M.U. at Ternhill. On 13th April 1942 it was flown to 46 M.U. at Lossiemouth. On 13th July 1942 it was taken on charge by the Station Flight at Bottesford. On 8th July 1944 it was transferred to the Station Flight at Great Massingham but a major inspection of the aircraft saw it struck off charge on 28th August 1944 with Cat.E1 damage being recorded on the paperwork.