Tiger Moth R5018 near Adel, Leeds.
On 15th October 1941 the pilot of this 20 E.F.T.S. aircraft was undertaking a training flight when he force-landed near Adel near Leeds. The aircraft
sustained damage to its main planes, airscrew and undercarriage but the pilot escaped injury.
Pilot - LAC Laurence Sydney Staight RAFVR (1216102), of Erdington, Birmingham. Uninjured.
Laurence Staight was involved in a second mishap to Tiger Moth BB804 on 22nd October 1941 which crashed at Yeadon. He completed his
training and was posted to 142 Squadron but on 17th April 1943 he was lost while flying off Malta. He was twenty years old and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
Tiger Moth R5018 was built to contract 20916/39 by The De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Hatfield and was awaiting collection in February 1940.
It was first taken on charge by 18 EFTS at Fairoaks 1940 and then transferred to 20 EFTS in 1941 but the exact dates are not known for any of the
transfers in the RAF are not known. Following the accident at Adel on 15th October 1941 Cat.B/FA damage was the assessment and it was taken away
to be repaired in works. On completion of the repairs it was taken on charge by 21 EFTS at Booker in 1942 and remained there until being transferred
to the newly formed 63 Group Communication Flight at Hooton Park in 1946, on 23rd April 1947 it moved with this unit to Hawarden. It was eventually
placed into MU storage pending disposal. On 24th September 1953 it was purchased by Airwork Ltd. based at Langley and registered on the civilian
register as G-ANED. On 24th September 1956 it was reported that the registration was cancelled as was dismantled at Perth.