Spitfire BL320 at Scorton airfield.
On 30th January 1942 this 122 Squadron aircraft landed at Scorton airfield following a training flight, while running down the runway the pilot noticed and became distracted by another aircraft ahead of him that had just landed and he drifted off the runway into snow. The starboard wheel sank into the snow causing the aicraft to swung around and overturn. The pilot was slightly injured.
Pilot - Sgt James Fabling Booth (338700). Injured.
James Booth received a commission in April 1942, he survived the war having risen to F/Lt but postings are not yet known.
Spitfire BL320 was built to contract B.981687/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd, at Castle Bromwich and was delivered to 9 M.U. at Cosford on 9th November 1941. Six days later it was taken on charge by 122 Squadron at Scorton. As a result of the mishap at Scorton on 30th January 1942 Cat.B/FA damage was the damage assessment, it was then transported by road to Westland Aircraft Ltd. at Yeovil for a repair in works. Once repairs were complete it was taken on charge by 91 Squadron at Hawkinge on 1st August 1942. On 27th August 1942 the aircraft was being flown on a ASR sea search off Hastings when it was ditched. The pilot P/O Henri de Molenes FFAF was found and rescued by a high speed launch but sadly died before the boat reached shore. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the aircraft's paperwork. In total it had clocked up just over 96 hours flying time.