Spitfire X4031 at Catterick airfield.
On 8th June 1941 this 313 Squadron aircraft overshot Catterick airfield after landing downwind, the aircraft tipped up onto it's nose and came to rest balanced on
it's nose and one wing-tip. An ambulance was reversed up to the Spitfire cockpit and the pilot scrambled out of the aircraft onto it's roof. The minor
damage to the aircraft was later repaired.
Pilot - F/Lt Karel Mrazek (Czech) (82561).
Karel "Charlie" Mrazek was born in November 1910 and he served in the Czech Air Force before the German invasion. He escaped and fought in France
before arriving in the UK in August 1940. After a short period training with 6 OTU he was posted to 43 Squadron for a week begining 10th
September 1940 to 17th September 1940. He was then posted to 46 Squadron until 2nd May 1941 and then to 257 Squadron briefly before joining
313 Sqaudron on 17th May 1941 as one of their founding pilots, and commanded 313 Squadron "A" Flight from 17th May 1941 until 15th December
1941 and then took over control of the Squadron from 15th December 1941 until 26th June 1942. He was awarded the DFC on 1st July 1942. He
then took a number of command roles and survived the War. He was awarded the DSO for his service. After the War returned home but it is
believed he was imprisoned by the Communist ruling party. Major General Karel Mrazek died in December 1998.
On 19th April 1941 it was taken on charge by 452 Squadron at Kirton in Lindsey, on 28th May 1941 it passed to 313 Squadron at Catterick.
On 8th June 1941 it overshot on landing at Catterick (detailed above) sustaining only very slight Cat.M(u)/FA damage, it was repaired on site again
and returned to the unit. On 16th August 1941 it was taken on charge by 61 OTU at Heston but on 22nd August 1941 it struck a soft patch of earth on
landing at Heston and the undercarriage collapsed. Cat.M(c)/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was again repaired on site. On 4th September 1941
it was returned to 61 OTU charge. On 14th October 1941 it was repaired by a team from V.A.Ltd. at Heston airfield but the reason for this is not known.
On 15th November 1941 it again returned to 61 OTU charge. On 25th February 1942 it dived into the ground at Worminghall, Buckingshire killing its then
pilot. Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft written off.
Spitfire X4031 was built to contract B19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and was first test flown on 29th
July 1940 before being flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride and placed into storage two days later. On 15th August 1940 it was flown to 6 MU at Brize
Norton in preparation to being issued to 64 Squadron at Kenley two days later. It then moved with this unit to Leconfield on 19th August 1940.
On 24th August 1940 and for unspecified reasons, almost certainly after an accident it was dismantled by 49 MU from
Henlow (salvage and repair unit) and transported to General Aircraft Ltd. at Hanworth for repair. It arrived at Hanworth on 27th August 1940
and on 7th October 1940 the repairs were complete and it was flown to 37 MU at Burtonwood (ASU) for storage. On 13th November 1940 it was
taken on charge by 54 Squadron at Catterick. The aircraft sustained damage at Thornaby on 24th November 1940 and Cat.R/FA damage was recorded,
it was repaired on site (though may have been taken by road the short distance back to Catterick for this) and 22nd February 1941 the repairs
were complete. 54 Squadron moved to Hornchurch the following day and left X4031 at Catterick, 41 Squadron moved in and took the aircraft onto their books.