Whitley P4969 near Driffield.
While this 1502 Beam Approach Training Flight aircraft was in the air on 8th April 1942 after 2.20hrs of flight the pilot noticed white smoke coming from the starboard engine and also the cockpit temperature gauge rise to 140'. He switched off the engine but was unable to maintain height so force landed in a field near Driffield at 13.25hrs causing some damage to the aircraft.
Pilot - P/O Vivian John Moorfoot RAF (114923).
Whitley P4969 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd, at Baginton and was awaiting collection in May 1940. It was initially taken on charge by 51 Squadron at Dishforth, probably in mid-May 1940 where it was coded "MH-K" and was probably the replacement for Whitley N1408 lost on Ops on 19th May 1940. It was first used operationally by 51 Squadron on 20th May 1940. The aircraft was later transferred to 77 Squadron at Linton on Ouse and was coded "KN-H". 77 Squadron first used it operationally on 10th September 1940 and then moved to Topcliffe on 5th October 1940. On 28th November 1940 it was slightly damaged on return from Ops to Turin when it ran off the airfield. Repairable Cat.R/FB damage resulted and it taken away by road for a repair at a works factory, believed by A.W.Ltd. at Baginton. On completion of the repair it passed through an MU store until being taken on charge by 1502 B.A.T.Flight at Driffield. The date it arrived is not known. As a result of the damage sustained on 8th April 1942 Cat.B/FA damage was the assessment which again saw it taken by road for a repair at a works factory. The aircraft next appears on charge with 10 O.T.U. at Kinloss. On 9th January 1943 it crash landed at Lossiemouth. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment this time and it was struck off charge.