Spitfire R7163 near Uckerby, Catterick.
On 27th May 1941 the pilot of this 313 Squadron aircraft and one other, F/O Hochmal, took off from Catterick to undertake a training flight. Both pilots were to carry
out a homing exercise. Spitfire R7163 dived into the ground near Uckerby Grange, near Uckerby, while the pilot was flying in cloud. The aircraft crashed at
high speed and the pilot was killed. The reason why the crash occured was never found although it was suspected that the pilot had lost consciousness after
suffering a problem with his oxygen supply.
Pilot - Sgt Josef Gutvald RAFVR (787349), aged 29. Of Czechoslovakia. Buried Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire.
The pilot's grave in Catterick Cemetery. He was born in Trest on 21st December 1911 and had previously served with 46 Squadron.
Spitfire R7163 was built to contract 19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd, at either of the Woolston or Eastleigh factories.
It was first test flown on 1st March 1941 and three days later flown to 24 MU at Ternhill. On 24th April 1941 it was taken on charge by 452 Squadron
at Kirton in Lindsey but was transferred to the care of 313 Squadron on 20th May 1941 at Catterick. As a result of the accident on 27th May 1941
Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was struck off charge on 5th June 1941.