Blenheim L1438 near Colton, Tadcaster.
On 3rd July 1941 the pilot of this 54 Operational Training Unit aircraft was undertaking a night training flight when, flying at dawn and in a shallow dive, the aircraft flew into the ground
between Steeton Hall and Brumper Hill Farm, near Colton, striking a hedge at 04.07hrs. The pilot was killed in the crash. He had just survived the crash landing
of Blenheim Z6251 at Church Fenton on 25th June 1941.
Pilot - P/O Malcolm Richard Peter Oxley RAFVR (64319), aged 24, of Palmers Green, Middlesex. Buried Kirkby Wharfe Cemetery, Yorkshire.
P/O Oxley's gravestone at Kirkby Wharfe. He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 13th April 1941.
Blenheim L1438 was built to contract 527114/37 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. at Filton as a bomber version and was awaiting collection in December 1938.
It was taken on charge by 18 Squadron at Upper Heyford in January 1939 and spent it's time with them operating from forward bases in France after the
outbreak of WW2 in September 1939. 18 Squadron ceased operating Blenheim MkI's in February 1940 and the aircraft was flown into MU for conversion to MkIf
status. Following this conversion it was taken on charge by 25 Squadron on 22nd August 1940 and was later passed to the care of 54 OTU on 23rd March 1941.
Following the accident recorded above on 3rd July 1941 Cat.E2/FA damage assessment was recorded and it was written off.