Details regarding this incident are vague but on 21st March 1941 the pilot of this 55 Operational Training Unit aircraft was undertaking a training flight in poor weather
when he became lost, after flying for sometime the aircraft eventually ran out of fuel and at 12.45hrs the pilot force landed the aircraft near
Lingdale, Guisborough, he survived the landing. Research locally has found that the aircraft crashed into a field containing hen-houses. The
pilot was in-experienced, he had only five hours flying time on the Hurricane type at the time of the crash landing.
Pilot - Sgt Douglas Lawley Stevens Wood RAFVR (939388).
Douglas Wood was born in Wolverhampton in around 1918. He learnt to fly as a civilian and on 21st June 1939 he was awarded the Royal Aviators Club Aero Certificate (Cert.No.18791) at the Midland Aero Club. On 12th October 1942 he was granted a commission in the RAFVR as P/O on probation (emergency) (139940). He was promoted to F/O on probation (war subs) on 12th April 1943 and then to F/Lt (war subs) on 12th October 1944. For service with 145 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 12th June 1945, the citation reads..
"This officer has completed much operational flying. He has at all times displayed the greatest keenness and throughout has shown skill and resolution of a high standard. In March, 1945, Flight Lieutenant Wood led a small formation of aircraft in an attack against a house being used as a strong point by the enemy. The target was very close to the forward position occupied by
our ground forces. Despite this, Flight Lieutenant Wood pressed home ihis attack with great accuracy, resulting in the complete destruction of the target from which the enemy retreated. The courage and determination shown by Flight Lieutenant Wood on this well executed sortie was typical of that which he has displayed on all occasions."
He died in the Hexham area of Northumberland in 1987.
Hurricane L1992 was built to contract 527112/36 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. at either Kingston or Brooklands and was awaiting collection in May 1939. After a period of
MU storage it was taken on charge by 56 Squadron in the Summer of 1939 at North Weald. On 22nd October 1939 it moved with the unit to Martlesham Heath. The aircraft was
temporarily taken on charge by the newly formed 242 Squadron at Church Fenton in January 1940 whilst the unit worked up to being operational on Hurricane's but by the
end of February 1940 it was back with 56 Squadron at Martlesham Heath and on 28th February 1940 it moved with the unit to North Weald, by now it carried the code "US-C".
On 10th May 1940 it moved with the unit to Gravesend and two days later to North Weald. It served in the Battle of France as part of 'B' Flight, 56 Squadron. On 16th May
1940 'B' Flight of 56 Squadron moved to Vitry-en-Artois, France. Two days later it was damaged in combat twice, on the first it was damaged in the mainplane by return
fire from a Do.17 of 4(F)/14 which was engaged near Valenciennes. The Hurricane landed safely at Vitry-en-Artois and Cat.A/FB damage was recorded, it was repaired on
site immediately and later the same day the radiator and glycol tank were damaged when attacked by Bf.109's of II/JG26 north of Cambrai shortly after take off for an
escort sortie. Again its pilot landed it safely at Vitry-en-Artois and Cat.A/FB was recorded. It was again immediately repaired on site but then pilot was wounded in
the foot and admitted to hospital in Frevent. On 19th May 1940 'B' Flight withdrawn to Norrent-Fontes and on 22nd May 1940 all 56 Squadron's flights withdrawn to
North Weald. On 31st May 1940 56 Squadron moved north to Digby for a rest and L1992 passed into the hands of 615 Squadron at Kenley the same day. 615 Squadron
played an early part in the Battle of Britain but L1992 does not appear to have a leading role. The unit moved to Prestwick on 29th August 1940. On 1st November
1940 it was taken on charge by the newly formed 55 OTU at Aston Down, this unit moved to Usworth on 14th March 1941. A week later on 21st March 1941 it sustained
minor Cat.B/FA damage as a result of the forced landing near Guisborough as stated above, it was deemed too badly damaged to be repaired on site and was taken
away by road and repaired in works. On completion of the repair it was taken on charge by 1 AAS at Manby but by the end of November 1941 was deemed beyond
economic repair, it was struck off charge while in MU store on 20th November 1941.
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