Blenheim Z6180 near Catfoss airfield.

On 27th July 1941 this 2 (C)O.T.U. aircraft was being flown on a day time training flight and took off at around 15.15hrs. During the flight the crew of this Blenheim spotted another Blenheim and the pilot of this Blenheim soon made a practice attack on Z6180 followed by what the crew believed was a practice dog-fight. The other aircraft was a MkI Blenheim piloted by a much more experienced pilot. Shortly after being chased the starboard engine began running roughly and a number of back-fires occurred. The trainee airmen flying Z6180 believed that the back-firing was the result of the other aircraft attacking them. Believing that their Blenheim had been damaged by gun fire they attempted to land at Catfoss airfield but as they made an approach with the undercarriage and flaps lowered the faulty starboard engine stopped. As the port engine was only operating correctly the aircraft began to loose height. The crew could not reach Catfoss and it crash landed in a field south of and just short of the runway. The guns of the other Blenheim were checked after it had landed and proven that it had not fired any shots, the crew of Z6180 were mistaken.

Blenheim Z6180 was built to contract B.119994/40 by A.V.Roe and Co. Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in February 1941. After a short period of storage it was taken on charge by 2 (C)OTU at Catfoss but as a result of the damage sustained on 27th July 1941 Cat.E/FA was the damage assessment and it was written off.

Pilot - Sgt P G Ambroes RAFVR (1299914). Belgian. Injured.

Air Gunner - Sgt Frederick George Wilkinson RAFVR (1251252). Injured.