Blenheim Z5745 at Barmston.
On 22nd February 1941 this 2 (C)O.T.U. aircraft flew into deteriorating weather while over the East coast, the pilot made a forced landing near
Barmston but the aircraft was badly damaged. The crew escaped injury.
Pilot - Sgt Moorhouse.
Crew - Names unknown.
Sgt Moorhouse was posted to 254 Squadron during March 1941.
Blenheim Z5745 was built to contract B.119994/40 by A.V. Roe Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in July 1940. It was taken on charge
by 1 (C)OTU at Silloth shortly after completion but on 1st November 1940 all of 1 (C)OTU Blenheim's were transferred to 2 (C)OTU at Catfoss and in
the weeks that followed all their aircraft were flown to Catfoss. Following the incident on 22nd February 1941 the damage was assessed as Cat.B/FA
and it must have been taken away for repair in works though the establishment that repaired it is not known. After the repair was complete it
passed into MU store where it remained until being transferred to the Royal Navy Deposit Account (RNDA) on 6th February 1944. In August 1944 it
was taken on charge by 759 Squadron FAA at Yeovilton but on 29th September 1944 it was damaged, Cat.Y1 recorded, when it ran off the perimeter
track at Yeovilton and nosed over when it ran into soft ground. Although Cat.Y1 was repairble on site naval damage category this aircraft does
not appear to have been repaired but no further details are available in the published records.