Tiger Moth BB814 near Harrogate.
On 28th August 1941 the crew on this 20 E.F.T.S. aircraft were forced to make a landing in a field near Harrogate and the aircraft sustained damage
to it's fuselage and wings. Nothing more is currently known about the incident.
Pilot (Pupil) - LAC Ronald Charles Williams RAFVR (1377791).
Pilot (Instructor?) - Sgt R Humphreys / Humphries RAFVR (1375048).
Ronald Williams later qualified as a pilot and joined Bomber Command. Having been posted to 10 Squadron on 4th April 1942 he was the pilot of Halifax DT785 returning from Ops to Kiel having been shot up by an enemy aircraft he made a crash landing at Thornaby airfield (this incident is detailed on this website). He escaped injury and resumed flying soon afterwards. He received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 10th May 1943 and rose to F/O on probation (war subs) on 10th November 1943. By December 1943 he had been posted to 35 Squadron as on 29th December 1943 he was the pilot of Halifax HR986 that failed to return from an operational flight. It was later found to have crashed near Doberitz and his body was initially buried locally but now lies in Berlin War Cemetery. Confirmation that the DFC was granted after his death, Gazetted on 18th January 1944 for service with 35 Squadron.
Tiger Moth BB814 has a very long history and the aircraft is still flying (as of 2014). The aircraft was built by the De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Hatfield and was first registered as G-AFWI on the civilian register on 19th July 1939 to Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick and was operated by them under the guise of 12 E&RFTS. On 3rd September 1939 this unit was re-designated as 12 EFTS. On 12th October 1940 the aircraft was impressed by the RAF and given the military serial number BB814. On 20th April 1941 the aircraft was transferred to 20 EFTS at Yeadon and as a result of the landing accident on 28th August 1941 Cat.B/FA damage was recorded, it was transported by road for repair in work by Taylorcraft Ltd. at Rearsby in September 1941. On 19th October 1941 the repair was complete and it was flown to 10 MU at Hullavington where it remained until 31st October 1941 when it was taken on charger by 19 EFTS at Sealand. On 11th November 1941 Cat.B/FA damage was again recorded when it crashed on landing at Sealand, later that month it was again transported by road for repair in works at Taylorcraft Ltd. Rearsby. On 23rd December 1941 it was flown to 46 MU at Lossiemouth to be placed into storage where it remained until 17th July 1942 when it was taken on charge by No.3 Group Communications Flight based at Stradishall. On 8th September 1942 it was transferred to the Station Flight at Waterbeach. On 24th May 1943 it was flown to Barnstaple for a major inspection by Lundy & Atlantic Coast Airlines Ltd. On 1st October 1943 it was flown to 5 MU at Kemble and then transferred to the Royal Navy (RNDA). In October 1943 it was flown to RNAS Roborough then in April 1944 it was transferred to 758 Squadron at Hinstock. In April 1945 it was placed into long term storage. In June 1946 it was taken on charge by RNAS Anthorn Station Flight but in July 1946 it was placed back in storage. In December 1946 it was taken on charge by RNAS Stretton's Ferry Flight and sustained damage on 6th February 1948 (Cat.SS) when it made a forced landing after running short of fuel in a snowstorm, the location for this incident is not known but the aircraft was re-fuelled on site and flown out. On 7th February 1948 Cat.LQ damage was recorded after damage when it was lifted by a gust of wind whilst taxying at Donibistle damaging undercarriage and wing tip. It was repaired on site and on completion of repair at Donibistle in April 1948 it was sent to RNAS Arbroath for use as a ground instructional airframe. In the week between 20th and 27th August 1948 it was tested by A.H.U. at Donibistle before being placed in to long term storage. In January 1949 it was flown to A.H.U. Stretton where it remained in storage until January 1951 when it was flown to RNAS Arbroath for ground instructional duties again. A year later in January 1952 it was again flown to RNAS Stretton for storage. In August 1953 it was taken on charge by RNAS Gosport Station Flight but in April 1954 it was returned to storage, almost certainly at Stretton where, in July 1954, it was prepared for service once again. In October 1954 it was taken on charge by RNAS Gosport Station Flight and on 20th May 1955 it was flown to RNAS Roborough for the use of The Britannia Royal Naval College Flight. On 27th May 1957 it was transferred to the RNAS Lossiemouth Station Flight for use by cadets at summer camp and when this was complete on 24th September 1957 it was flown to RNAS Lee on Solent storage section. On 23rd June 1958 it was taken on charge by RNAS Yeovilton's Station Flight for use of CIFE Flight. On 16th July 1958 it was flown to RNAS Bramcote for use of cadets at summer camp, on 8th September 1958 it returned to RNAS Yeovilton's Station Flight. On 15th April 1959 it was transferred to RNAS Lee on Solent for joint use of their Station Flight and 781 Squadron. On 17th July 1962 Cat.LQ damage was recorded when the port wheel struck a sodium runway light when landing at Lee on Solent, it was repaired on site and on completion of repair it was transferred to RNAS Roborough's Cadet Flight. In July 1965 it was taken on charge by RNAS Yeovilton's Station Flight. On 8th July 1966 it was flown to RNAS Arbroath for use by The Condor Gliding Club. On 22nd July 1970 it was loaned to 781 Squadron at Lee on Solent. The aircraft was put up for sale by the Royal Navy in 1972 initially being re-registered to the civilian register as G-AFWI on 8th August 1972 to the trustees of Portsmouth Naval Flying Club. On 22nd November 1972 it was finally struck off Royal Navy charge. It continued to be used by the Portsmouth Naval Flying Club until it was registered to N.E.Rankin, F.J.Cox and K.S.Rankin at Portsmouth on 11th August 1982. On 28th November 1991 it was purchased and registered to E.Newbigin at Bath. On 27th April 2009 it was purchased and registered to P.R.Harvey at Eye and the registration is still current.