Spitfire R7061 near Bainton.
On 23rd May 1941 the pilot of this 485 Squadron aircraft was practicing forced landings when his engine failed during one of these simulations, he carried out a forced landing for real in a field near Neswick Hall, Bainton and the aircraft was slightly damaged. Neswick Hall was demolished in 1954.
Pilot - P/O Patrick Stewart McBride RNZAF (40980), of Auckland, New Zealand. Slightly injured.
Patrick McBride was born on 27th October 1918 in Auckland and enlisted into the RNZAF in mid-1940, nothing more is yet known about his service.
Spitfire R7061 was a presentation aircraft, donated by the Brooke Bond tea company and named "Edglets". The aircraft was built to
contract B.19713 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at either the Woolston or Eastleigh factory and was first test flown on 3rd
February 1941. The following day it was flown to 9 MU at Cosford where it remained until being issued to 485 Squadron on 20th April 1941
at Leconfield. On 23rd May 1941 Cat.B/FA damage was recorded following inspection after the landing near Bainton. On 26th May 1941 it was
dismantled by 60 MU and transported to Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick for repair. On 8th November 1941 and after a lengthy rebuild it
was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride. Ten days later it was taken on charge by 52 OTU at Aston Down but on 12th December 1941 it flew into high
ground at France Lynch, near Stroud, Gloucestershire and the pilot, Sgt.R.P. Owen, was killed. Cat.E/FA damage was recorded on the paperwork.