Hurricane V6953 at Driffield airfield.
At 14.30hrs on 16th February 1941 this 1 RCAF Squadron aircraft had the undercarriage raised too early on take off from Driffield airfield. It sustained what must have been extensive damage as no repair was made.
Pilot - F/O Bruce Alexander Hanbury RCAF (C/1329).
Hurricane V6953 was built to contract 85730/40/23a by The Gloster Aircraft Company Ltd. at Hucclecote and was awaiting collection in November 1940. It was taken on charge by 213 Squadron at Driffield on or around the 15th January 1941 when the unit moved in from Leconfield. Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded after this accident at Driffield in February 1941, as listed above. Although on the books of 213 Squadron it was been flown by a 1 RCAF Squadron pilot who were in the process of moving into Driffield airfield from Castletown, on paper the move was not complete but it had begun a few days earlier. 1 RCAF Squadron began moving on 10th February 1941 and it is therefore likely that some of 213 Squadron's aircraft were taken on charge by 1 RCAF Squadron around this date and this aircraft was infact in the care of 1 RCAF Squadron when the accident occurred.
Bruce Hanbury was killed on 27th March 1942 when 409 Squadron Beaufighter T3142 crashed at Leverington Outgate. He is buried at Scopwick, Lincolnshire.