Hurricane Mk.IIc BN235 at Clifton airfield.
On 23rd May 1942 seven aircraft, ground crews and a servicing team of 43 Squadron moved from Acklington to Ford airfield to begin a detachment there for army co-operation duties. Some thirteen pilots went and while based there two new aircraft were delivered to them from 19 M.U.. On 31st May 1942 the squadron concluded their detachment at Ford and returned to Acklington. Hurricane BN235 was one of the aircraft that was due to be flown back north. Prior to taking off from Ford at around 15.25hrs the pilot was instructed to land anywhere at an airfield between Wittering and York to refuel to allow for them more flying time should navigation problems be encountered. At just before 17.00hrs this aircraft landed at Clifton airfield with at least one other but the pilot of BN235 landed without checking that there was an obstruction at the end of the runway. After landing he subsequently ran into a pile of timber. The damage was deemed to be minor and a repair on site was carried out.
Pilot - P/O J D Daniels. USA.
Hurricane BN235 was built to contract 110768/40 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd at the Brooklands factory and was delivered to 44 MU at Edzell on 24th December 1941. It was initially taken on charge by 256 Squadron at Squires Gate on 5th January 1942 but was then transferred to 43 Squadron at Acklington on 28th January 1942. It sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage as a result of the mishap at Clifton on 31st May 1942 and was repaired on site. On 14th July 1942 a ground accident occurred at Clifton while it was in the care of 60 M.U. when Ac R D Bousie sustained injuries during a run of the engine on the ground. Another Cat.Ac/FA damage assessment was made and it was again repaired on site at Clifton. Once servicable on 4th September 1942 it was transferred to 532 Squadron at Wittering. It then moved with them to Hibaldstow on 11th September 1942. On 22nd November 1942 it collided with Spitfire AD192 whilst taxying at Hibaldstow. Cat.Ac/FA damage was again the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On 17th January 1943 it was being flown by 532 Squadron near Louth when it collided in the air with Hurricane Z3893 over Yarburgh, the pilot was sble to land safely but another Cat.Ac/FA damage assessment was made. It was probably repaired on site but on 31st March 1943 it was sent for a major inspection to Morrison's Engineering Ltd. at Horsey Toll. On 14th March 1943 it went to 10 MU at Hullavington and on 19th June 1943 it went to 82 MU (Packing Depot) at Lichfield. On 17th July 1943 it embarked on the S.S.Iceland for India and once there on 30th November 1943 it was taken on charge by SEAAC at Kandy, Ceylon. After this date nothing further of the history is known apart from a struck off charge date of 31st August 1944.