Blenheim T1849 at Thornaby airfield.
On 6th March 1941 the crew were of this 114 Squadron Blenheim were one of a number of crews undertaking a recce of the North Sea, this was the squadron's first operational flights since arriving at Thornaby days earlier. While taking off at around 10.10hrs an engine on this aircraft failed, the pilot abandoned the flight. In attempting to avoid parked dispersed aircraft and an air raid shelter he made a belly landing and while the aircraft was damaged the crew of three escaped injury.
Pilot - P/O Knowles.
? - P/O Kellow.
? - Sgt Fenwick.
Blenheim T1849 was built to contract 1485/39 by Rootes Securites Ltd. at Speke and awaiting collection in June 1940. The aircraft was taken on charge by 40 Squadron at Wyton shortly after and continued to serve with that unit until November 1940 when Blenheim MkIV's were withdrawn when the unit converted to Wellington MkIc's. After a short period of storage the aircraft was transferred to 114 Squadron at Oulton before moving with the unit to Thornaby on 2nd March 1941. It sustained Cat.R/FA damage as a result of this incident at Thornaby on four days later from which it appears to have been repaired in works. The aircraft next appears on charge with 5 AOS at Jurby in the Isle of Man but the date they took it on charge is not yet known. Its final unit was 12 PAFU at Grantham where it served until deemed unserviceable and was shipped off to an MU for disposal. It was struck off charge on 28th February 1944.