Spitfire BL461 near Catterick airfield.
On 6th February 1942 this 145 Squadron aircraft was being used as part of a local flying, formation flying and aerobatics training flight when it suffered a breakage in the throttle control linkage with the engine at full power in the air, the pilot force-landed at his base of Catterick at high speed but overshot at 15.45hrs. The aircraft crossed the A1 road and into a field near Bainesse Farm to the west of the airfield and although not visibly badly damaged it was written off. The pilot escaped serious injury.
Pilot - Sgt G C S Buchanan RNZAF (NZ.41976). Cuts to face and suffered shock.
Spitfire BL461 was built to contract B.981687/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Castle Bromwich and was delivered to 37 MU at Burtonwood on 6th December 1941. It was taken on charge by 145 Squadron on 17th December 1941 who were based at Catterick. As a result of the damage sustained on 6th February 1942 Cat.E/FA damage was the assessment and it was written off.