Spitfire P7981 near Burneston, Catterick.
On 10th August 1941 the pilot of this 145 Squadron aircraft force landed near Carthorpe, Burneston, near Catterick airfield at 20.30hrs after suffering mechanical failure.
A police record sourced states that the aircraft sustained damage to the tail and wings and that the pilot escaped injury.
Pilot - P/O William Mulhern RAF (67103).
This aircraft was not the aircraft used by HRH Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands while with 322 Squadron as is stated elsewhere on the internet.
Prince Bernhard's aircraft was Spitfire P7891.
William Mulhern received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 19th May 1941. He was still serving with 145 Squadron on 19th October when he was killed in the crash
of Spitfire P8728 near East Appleton, Catterick. He is buried in Catterick Cemetery.
Spitfire P7981 was built to contract B.981687/39/CB/23(C) by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Castle Bromwich and after testing was flown to 9 MU at Cosford on
9th February 1941. It was first taken on charge by 41 Squadron at Catterick on 30th March 1941 but when 41 Squadron left Catterick on 28th July 1941 they left
behind their Spitfires which were all taken on charge on the same date by 145 Squadron who had arrived to take their place. As a result of the incident near
Catterick on 10th August 1941 Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded and the aircraft was struck off charge eight days later.