On 25th October 1942 this 63 Squadron aircraft was being flown as part of an army co-operational exercise over the Catterick area as part of Exercise Tryout. While flying low it struck the top of a tree near Bedale during a practice message dropping flight. The pilot was able to return to base at Catterick and land safely. The minor damage was later repaired.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Master DL681 was built to contract B.65589/40 by Philips & Powys Ltd. at South Marston and was first test flown on 18th May 1942. On 6th June 1942 it was flown to 48 MU at Hawarden and some months later was then taken on charge by 63 Squadron at Catterick on 3rd September 1942. As a result of the damage sustained on 25th October 1942 the damage was assessed as being Cat.A(c)/FA and it was repaired on site. 63 Squadron moved to Weston Zoyland on 6th November 1942 to undertake air firing exercises. It is not yet known if DL681 had been repaired in time but even if it was they may not have taken it with them for this exercise as part of the squadron remained at Catterick. The detached aircraft part of 63 Squadron returned to Catterick on 14th November 1942 with the ground parties returning by road and rail two days later. They then moved to MacMerry on 20th November 1942 and over the coming months (and years) they served on detachment where they were needed. On paper they were later based at Turnhouse (from 26th July 1943), Thruxton (from 8th November 1943), Sawbridgeworth (from 12th November 1942) and North Weald from 30th November 1943. During March 1944 63 Squadron were detached to Peterhead and the Master probably went with them there. On 5th April 1944 it was transferred to 15 A.P.C. at Peterhead. It's final transfer was on 15th May 1944 when it was transferred to the Station Flight at Skesbrae. It saw out the war and was eventually struck off charge on 3rd October 1945.
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