Spitfire X4916 at Leconfield airfield.
On 26th April 1941 this 485 Squadron aircraft had been flown from Driffield airfield to Leconfield airfield but landed at Leconfield at 60° to the wind direction
and effectively on the wrong runway, the aircraft swung onto the grass and overturned. The aircraft was a presentation aircraft and carried the name "City of Hull, No.1".
Pilot - Sgt James Kerrow Porteous RNZAF (401301).
James Porteous was born in Auckland, New Zealand in November 1916, prior to enlisting he was a salesman. He joined the RNZAF in January 1940 and served with
a number of squadrons, probably firstly with 93 Squadron, then 485 Squadron where he gained the nick-name "Pranger". He was awarded the DFC on 27th July 1943 as
Acting F/Lt with 243 Squadrn and he later commanded 122 Squadron in 1944. He was credited with shooting down a total of seven enemy aircraft, including a V1 rocket.
Following the War he returned home and died 17th March 1993 in Auckland.
Spitfire X4916 was built to contract B.19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and was first test flown on 1st January 1941. Two days later
it was flown to 9 MU at Cosford for storage. On 18th March 1941 it was flown to 5 MU at Kemble and on 13th April 1941 it was taken on charge by 485 Squadron at Driffield.
The aircraft suffered Cat.B/FA damage at Leconfield as a result of the mishap detailed above, it was then dismantled and transported by road to 1 CRU at Cowley for repair
two days later. The repair was complete by 26th August 1941 when it was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride. On 2th September 1941 it was taken on charge by 131
Squadron at Ternhill but on 12th September 1941 the undercarriage collapsed when its then pilot landed on rough ground at Ternhill. The records state that
it was initially declared as Cat.E/FA and on 18th September 1941 it was dismantled and transported by road to 1 CRU at Cowley where the aircraft was Re.Cat.C
and prepared for a ground instructional airframe. On 11th December 1941 it was struck off charge and given the serial 2825M but it remained in store until
it moved to No.6 School of Target Towing at Hednesford on 1st February 1942 and after this date nothing more of the history is known.