On 23rd December 1942 this 2 (C) OTU aircraft was being used on a target towing flight and had been in the air for ninety minutes when the pilot realised that the fuel was running out and the engine was failing, he made a hurried forced landing near Bewholme and only the port undercarriage properly down. On landing the aircraft was slightly damaged when the starboard wing hit the ground. It was later found that the pilot had incorrect read his fuel gauges and that there was enough fuel remaining in other tanks to have allowed him to return to base had he read the gauges correctly and switched the supply.
Pilot - "Sgt A B Tetley RAFVR (1218593)".
Martinet HN871 was built to contract ACFT/1690/C.23[c] by Philips and Powys Ltd. at Woodley and was first test flown on 30th August 1942. On 9th September 1942 it was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride prior to being taken on charge by 2 (C)OTU on 19th October 1942 at Catfoss. As a result of the mishap on 23rd December 1943 Cat.B/FA damage resulted. On 2nd January 1943 it was taken by road to Philips and Powys Ltd. at Woodley for a repair in works. The damage was quickly repaired and on 28th February 1943 it was taken on charge by 7 (C)OTU at Limavady. On 21st August 1943 it was written off following a belly landed at Ballykelly after engine failure. Cat.E/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was struck off charge on 4th September 1943.
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