Blenheim L8617 near Church Fenton.
On 16th May 1941 this 54 OTU aircraft suffered engine failure after taking off from Church Fenton, the pilot force landed close to the airfield at 22.15hrs and
although he escaped injury the aircraft was badly damaged.
Pilot - P/O G H King.
Nothing more is known of the pilot without a service number. A possible airman was George Hatton King RAF (50782) who, as F/O, was awarded the MBE in January
1947 but he only received his commission in January 1943 so probably not the same man.
Blenheim L8617 was built to contract 551920/39 by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke and was awaiting collection in March 1939. The aircraft then appears
to have been placed into MU storage and it may have been converted to MkIf status during this period because the aircraft was eventually taken on charge
by 23 Squadron in July 1939 at Wittering. It served with this unit as a day and night fighter moving with the unit to Collyweston on 31st May 1940 and Ford
on 12th September 1940. On 25th November 1950 it was passed to the newly formed 54 OTU at Church Fenton and on 16th May 1941 it sustained Cat.B/FA damage as a
result of this incident detailed above. From here it was transported to the factory and repaired in works, on completion of the repair in late 1941 it was taken
on charge by 2(C)OTU at Catfoss. On 24th November 1942 it was transferred to the newly formed 132(C)OTU at East Fortune and after a short period with 132(C)OTU
it was transferred back to 2(C)OTU at Catfoss in early 1943. The aircraft was eventually placed into long term MU storage and struck off charge and broken up for
return to produce on 7th October 1943.