Blenheim L1178 at Catterick airfield.
On 25th February 1941 this 68 Squadron aircraft is reported to have been badly damaged as a result of a flying accident but nothing more is known and it is assumed to have occurred on Catterick airfield being the home airfield of 68 Squadron where L1178 was based at the time. The squadron was working up to becoming operational at the time but their record book is so brief it does not list any flying specifics.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Blenheim L1178 was built to contract 527114/36 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. at Filton and was awaiting collection in April 1938. After a very lengthy period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 18 Squadron at Upper Heyford when the unit commenced conversion from Hinds to Blenheims in May 1939. During the Autumn of 1939 it was converted to a MkIf status and in November 1939 it was taken on charge by 234 Squadron at Leconfield; the unit reformed on 30th October 1939 at Leconfield and was equipped with Battles and Blenheims. 234 Squadron began conversion
to Spitfire MkI's in March 1940 and the aircraft was transferred to 23 Squadron at Wittering. On 31st May 1940 it moved with the unit to
Collyweston but in August 1940 it transferred to 604 Squadron at Middle Wallop. It passed to the hands of 29 Squadron at Wellingore the
following month. On 7th January 1941 it was take on charge by 68 Squadron who had reformed at Catterick. On 25th February 1941 it sustained
Cat.E2/FA damage as a result of the incident at Catterick as recorded above but sadly no details of how this occurred are known.