Tiger Moth N6789 at Yeadon airfield.
On 1st September 1941 this 20 E.F.T.S. aircraft was taxying at Yeadon airfield in a strong wind when it was blown against a sandbagged barricade. It was slightly damaged but the pilot escaped injury. The aircraft's identity was not fully listed in the unit's ORB which gives it as "6789" but it was almost certainly N6789.
Pilot - LAC Robert Gibson MacDonald RAF (655241).
After training at Yeadon he later trained with 36 SFTS in Penhold, Alberta and left there in May 1942. He appears to have survived the War.
Tiger Moth N6789 was built to contract 778402/38 by The De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Hatfield and was awaiting collection in April 1939. It
was initially operated by D.H.Ltd. under the guise of 13 E&RFTS at White Waltham that month and on 3rd September 1939 the unit was re-designated 13 EFTS.
It remained at 13 EFTS until 1st June 1941 when it was transferred to the newly formed 21 EFTS at Booker and after a short spell with 21 EFTS it was
transferred to 18 FTS at Fairoaks and then on to 20 EFTS at Yeadon. As a result of the mishap on 1st September 1941 Cat.B/FA damage was recorded but
the damage must have been fairly bad as it was taken away by road and repaired in works. After repair it was taken on charge by No.1 AACU whose HQ was
at Farnborough, the aircraft was a unit 'hack' aircraft but it is not specified in the Air Britain record book which flight the aircraft was attached to
while here. 1 AACU HQ disbanded on 1st October 1942 and the aircraft was transferred to No.1441 Flight based at Dundonald on 19th October 1942. 1441
Flight was re-designated as 516 Squadron on 28th April 1943 and the aircraft remained on charge until being transferred into MU store, being put up for
disposal and then being struck off charge on 22nd June 1945.