Spitfire X4609 at Church Fenton airfield.
On 5th May 1941 this 485 Squadron aircraft swung on take off and struck the wreckage of Whitley T4336 which had crashed earlier and was badly damaged. Church Fenton's
station ORB states that between 3rd May and 12th May 1941 485 Squadron Spitfires were flown from Leconfield to Church Fenton each evening to carry out night
patrols from Church Fenton, during that period they carried out twenty three night patrols but with no combat incidents. It is possible that the Spitfire was
taking off for one of these patrols.
Pilot - P/O William Arthur Middleton RNZAF (39928). Injured.
William Middleton served with 266 Squadron during the Battle of Britain and flew 57 operational flights with them during his time with the squadron. He was posted to join 485 Squadron when it formed in March 1941 and sustained injuries in the crash at Church Fenton on 5th May 1941. The date of 4th May 1941 is quoted in many places but as the Whitley it struck did not crash until 00.40hrs on the morning of 5th May 1941 it cannot have struck the wreckage any earlier. Middleton was admitted to York Military Hospital but joined 485 Squadron once fit on 23rd August 1941. On 27th August 1941 he was flying Spitfire W3527 on an operational sweep over France when he was shot down over the Calais area. He attempted to bale out but was too low for his parachute to work and was killed. He is buried in Dunkirk Communal Cemetery.
Spitfire X4609 was built to contract 19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston / Eastleigh and was first test flown on 7th
October 1940, three days later it was flown to 37 MU at Burtonwood in preparation for issue to an operational unit. On 17th October 1940 it was taken
on charge by 41 Squadron at Hornchurch but they required Mk.II aircraft so it was transferred on 24th October 1940 to 611 Squadron based at Digby. On
14th December 1940 it moved with this unit to Rochford then on 27th January 1941 moved with the unit to Hornchurch. On 14th March 1941 it was transferred
to 485 Squadron at Leconfield but on 5th May 1941 suffered Cat.E/GA damage in the incident recorded above and was struck off charge on 12th May 1941.