Blenheim R2781 near Todwick Bar, Rotherham.
On 17th December 1941 this 54 Operational Training Unit aircraft was being flown from Heston to Church Fenton when the radio equipment failed in poor visibility. Eventually the aeroplane ran short of fuel and probably with the crew being lost a forced landing was made in a field near Todwick Bar, Rotherham. The crew of two sustained injuries.
Pilot - P/O George Edward Warrington Winship RAFVR (108008). Injured.
? - Name unknown. Injured.
Blenheim R2781 was built to contract 588371/36 by A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in June 1940. After a period of
storage it was taken on charge by 17 OTU at Upwood before transfer to 54 OTU at Church Fenton on an unknown date in 1941. As a result of this incident near Rotherham on
17th December 1941 Cat.B/FA damage was the assessment and it was taken away by road for repair. After repair and a lengthy period of MU storage it was taken on charge
by the newly formed 301 FTU at Lyneham around 1st November 1942 when the unit formed. In August 1943 it wasflown to 1 OADU at Portreath for preparation for overseas
service and on 1st September 1943 it was transferred to Portuguese Naval Air Service. After this transfer nothing more is known of the aircraft.