Hurricane V7005 near Staxton.
On 9th April 1941 this 46 Squadron aircraft was flown on what would have been a co-operation exercise with anti-aircraft gun crews over the Scarborough area. During the flight the aircraft dived too low and struck what was described as "an obstruction" while undertaking low flying. Minor damage resulted, possibly as a result of just the initial collision or following a forced landing. What the obstruction was is not stated though could it be a Chain Home mast on Staxton Wold. The AM Form 1180 makes no mention of a forced landing being made at Staxton so it is possible the pilot flew back to Church Fenton where he was based, or headed to nearby Driffield airfield. The aircraft next appears in the squadron orb as being flown on 23rd April 1941.
Pilot - Sgt Reginald William James RAFVR (904476).
Reginald James later received a commission. He was killed on 7th October 1944 when Oxford X7288 crashed in the Netherlands while on a flight with No.2 Group Communication Squadron between Benson to Evere. He is buried Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery, Holland.
Hurricane V7005 was built to contract 85730/40/23a by the Gloster Aircraft Company Ltd. at their Hucclecote factory and was flown to 5 MU at Kemble on 27th October 1940. It was then taken on charge by 46 Squadron at North Weald on 11th November 1940. 46 Squadron then moved to Digby on 14th December 1940, Church Fenton on 28th February 1941 and Sherburn in Elmet on 1st March 1941. As a result of force landing near Staxton on 9th April 1941 Cat.M/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. Once servicable it was returned to 46 Squadron use. On 24th April 1941 it was damaged taxying at Driffield airfield. Cat.M/FA damage was the initial damage assessment but the following day it was inspected by 43 Group D.A. and the damage upgraded to Re-Cat.R.. On 5th May 1941 it was taken to Taylorcraft Ltd. at Rearsby for a repair in works. Once servicable on 14th August 1941 it was flown to 46 MU at Lossiemouth. On 23rd August 1941 it went to Gloster Aircraft Ltd. at Hucclecote for conversion to Sea Hurricane Mk.Ib. On 26th September 1941 it was flown to 15 MU at Wroughton and on 30th October 1941 it arrived at M.S.F.U. at Speke. On 29th January 1942 it was declared as having Cat.B damage but what occurred is not known. On 7th February 1942 it went to Rosenfield Ltd. at Barton for a repair in works. On 21st December 1942 it was flown to 48 MU at Hawarden and on 13th May 1943 was taken on charge by 56 O.T.U. at Tealing. On 22nd October 1943 it hit a train whilst low flying near Greenloading though the pilot went on to land safely at Tealing. Cat.A/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On 20th July 1944 the aircraft went to 22 MU at Silloth and on 6th August 1944 it went to Catterick, presumably for Station Flight duties. On 27th November 1944 it was declared Cat.E during a major inspection and was struck off charge.