Blenheim L1130 at Church Fenton airfield.
On 13th May 1941 this 54 Operational Training Unit aircraft was in the process of taking off from Church Fenton airfield when an engine began to fail just before leaving the ground. The pilot attempted to stop the aircraft from over-running the airfield boudary ditch by retracting the undercarriage.
Pilot - P/O J M Young.
Blenheim L1130 was built to contract 527114/36 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. at Filton as a bomber variant and was awaiting collection in March 1938. It was taken on charge almost immediately by 82 Squadron at Cranfield but in August 1939 it was placed in MU store when 82 Squadron ceased operating Blenheim Mk.I's and converted to a Mk.If variant. In November 1939 it was taken on charge by 92 Squadron at Tangmere and moved with them to Croyden on 30th December 1939. In March 1940 92 Squadron ceased operating the Blenheim type so it was transferred to 5 O.T.U. at Aston Down. On 1st November 1940 it was allocated to 54 O.T.U. who were being formed at Church Fenton, the transfer took place sometime between 1st November and 25th November 1940. As a result of the minor damage sustained on 24th April 1941 and then on 13th May 1941 Cat.A/FA resulted from the assessment and a repair on site was carried out each time. In late 1941 it was transferred to 15 O.T.U. at Mount Farm, moving with them to Harwell on 12th February 1942. It joined 12 (P)AFU soon after it formed on 1st April 1942 at Grantham. On 2nd March 1943 it crashed after a mid air collision with Blenheim T1870 near Harlaxton and after which Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded. It was written off.