Blenheim L9321 at Catfoss airfield.
At 15.50hrs on 12th January 1941 this No.2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit aircraft was taking off from Catfoss airfield when the pilot was forced to swerve to avoid colliding with Blenheim R3695 that was being taxied onto the runway from the left. In swerving to the right L9321 then struck Blenheim L9417 which was stationary and having a burst tyre changed. The aircraft was badly damaged and all on board it sustained slight injuries.
Pilot - P/O Maurice Charles Arnold RAF (86717).
Observer - Sgt D M Halford RAFVR (911885).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Leslie Charles Edwards Crook RAFVR (902781).
All three of the above were posted to 248 Squadron in February 1941. Leslie Crook received a commission on 1st May 1944 to the rank of P/O on probation (176433), he was promoted to F/O on 1st November 1944 and F/Lt on 1st May 1946.
Blenheim L9321 was built to contract 569202/36 by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke and was awaiting collection in January 1940. After a lengthy period of MU storage
it was taken on charge by 1 (C)OTU at Silloth on 1st April 1940. All of 1 (c)OTU's Blenheims were sent on detachment to Prestwick on 9th August 1940 and later on 1st
November 1940
all 1 (C)OTU Blenheim's were transferred to 2 (C)OTU based at Catfoss. On 12th January 1941 this aircraft was reported as deemed beyond repair following the
accident at Catfoss.