Hotspur BT485 near Snaith airfield.
On 17th June 1942 the pilot of this aircraft one pilot of one of two gliders being given a triple tow-off behind a Whitley when he lost control due to the slipstream effect of the tug aircraft. This glider got too close to the other glider being towed so cast off to avoid a collision. The glider stalled and was wrecked in an attempted forced-landing at 10.32hrs in a wheatfield just off the end of the runway at Snaith. Both pilot and passenger were thrown out on impact. The AFEE used Snaith airfield for many tactical trials around this time because of better concrete runways than Sherburn in Elmet airfield had. The Whitley is not believed to have been damaged as the glider had cast off before loosing control and it landed safely. The gliders were almost certainly being towed from Snaith to Sherburn in Elmet where the AFEE were moving to on this date.
Hotspur BT485 was built to contract SB.11960 by Harris Lebus Ltd. at Tottenham, London and was awaiting collection in July 1941. It was taken on charge at Ringway by the Central Landing Establishment (C.L.E.) soon after completion. On 1st September 1941 the CLE was re-designated Airborne Forces Establishment (A.F.E.), still based at Ringway. On 15th February 1942 the AFE became known as the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment (A.F.E.E.) and remained at Ringway. On 5th June 1942 Hotspur BT485 was detached to Snaith pending transfer of the AFEE to Sherburn-in-Elmet on 17th June 1942 and as a result of the incident on 17th June 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was written off.
Pilot - Sgt Ralph Edward Wright RAF (852163). Injured.
Passenger - LAC James Finlay RAFVR (1108930). Injured.