Spitfire ER780 at Marston Moor airfield.
On 23rd October 1942 this Spitfire was being ferried by an ATA pilot between 46 M.U. at Lossiemouth to 82 M.U. at Lichfield when a landing was made at Marston Moor airfield at 17.15hrs. The undercarriage was not locked down and it collapsed when weight was placed on it.
Pilot - F/O Ralph Jaggar ATA (M.501).
Ralph Jagger was flying Puss Moth DP853 on 17th April 1942 when the aircraft suffered mechanical trouble and he force-landed near Hucknall.
Spitfire ER780 was built to contract B981687/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Castle Bromwich and was awaiting collection in early October 1942. On 11th October 1942 it was flown to 46 MU at Lossiemouth. As a result of the landing accident at Marston Moor on 23rd October 1942 minor Cat.A(c)/FA damage was the result of the damage assessment but it was assessed as requiring a repair in works so it was dismantled and transported by road to Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick. With the repair complete on 27th March 1943 it was flown to 215 MU at Locharbriggs for packing for overseas shipment. On 14th April 1943 it commenced the sea journey to North Africa and on 25th April 1943 it was taken on charge by 145 MU at Cazes airfield, Casablanca, for assembly and testing. On 31st May 1943 it was taken on charge by Northwest African Air Force H.Q. at Algiers, though it may not necessarily have based there. On 31st July 1943 it is recorded as being on charge with the 12th Air Force, USAAF within the N.W.A.A.F. Precise details of where and what happened to it in Africa is not known other than it was struck off charge on 28th April 1945.