Spitfire R6765 at Driffield airfield.
On 22nd March 1941 this 485 Squadron aircraft landed at Driffield airfield and the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed.
Pilot - Sgt Harold Lane Thomas RNZAF (A391850), of Auckland, New Zealand. Uninjured.
Harold Thomas was born in Cambridge, New Zealand on 7th October 1917, he was working as an accountant when enlisted into the RNZAF on
17th December 1939. After pilot training he gained his Wings on 27th July 1940 and left New Zealand afew days and arrived in England on
30th September 1940. He trained at 57 OTU and was posted to 258 Squadron on 4th January 1941 but was posted to 485 Squadron on its
formation in March 1941. He survived the War and died in July 1991. The photograph shown above and all of the above details were found
on a great website at "www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Hal%20Thomas.htm".
Spitfire R6765 was built to contract B.19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and was first test flown on
17th June 1940. Two days later it was flown to 6 MU at Brize Norton where it remained until 13th July 1940 when it was taken on charge
by 610 Squadron at Biggin Hill. On 8th August 1940 it sustained Cat.R/FB damage when badly damaged in combat with Bf109's of JG51 over
Biggin Hill and it was force landed near the airfield. The then pilot was unhurt. On 12th August 1940 it was dismantled and transported
by road to General Aircraft Ltd, at Hanworth for repair. On 30th September 1940 it was flown to 37 MU at Burtonwood and on 17th October
1940 it was taken on charge by 41 Squadron at Hornchurch. It transferred to 611 Squadron on 24th October 1940 and was flown to them at
Digby. On 15th March 1941 it transferred to 485 RNZAF Squadron at Driffield and sustained this damage there a week later with Cat.B/FA
damage being recorded. Repair not deemed to be urgent so it remained at Driffield until 29th April 1941 when it was dismantled and
transported by road to AST Ltd. at Hamble for repair. On 29th May 1941 it was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride and the on 4th July 1941 it
was taken on charge by 61 OTU at Heston. On 19th July 1941 it sustained Cat.A/FA damage when the engine failed in circuit at Heston and
was belly landed on the airfield. It was repaired on site and returned to the unit. On 20th October 1941 it collided in cloud with
Spitfire X4540 during a camera gun practice near Heston and crashed near Windsor, Berkshire. Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and the then
pilot Sgt C F McCullough was sadly killed. It was struck off charge when the paperwork was done on 28th October 1941.