Beaufighter R2444 at Church Fenton airfield.
On 18th February 1942 the pilot of this aircraft was undertaking his first solo flight on the Beaufighter type, he was instructed to hold off on his approach to land
but the aircraft stalled and crash landed close to the airfield. The aircraft was badly damaged but the pilot escaped serious injury.
Pilot - Sgt Dennis Francis Gilbert RAF (655386).
Dennis Gilbert was later posted as an operational pilot and served in the Middle East. On 19th January 1943 he was piloting an aircraft when he crash landed behind enemy lines and became a PoW.
Beaufighter R2444 was built to contract 983771/39 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. at Filton and was awaiting collection in July 1941. After a short period at M.U. for preparation for operational flying it was taken on charge by 307 Squadron in August 1941 at Exeter. By February 1942 it had been transferred to 54 OTU at Church Fenton and as a result of the mishap on 18th February 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was the assessment.