Blenheim R3752 near Cawood.
On 8th January 1942 the pilot of this aircraft was undertaking a solo night training exercise when the aircraft suffered from the effects
of severe icing conditions the surfaces of the airframe some thirty miles from base. The pilot was attempting to make it back to base but with the
ice forming over the engine carburretors and flying surfaces height and were being lost. He is believed to have been in the circuit of Church
Fenton airfield and had made an overshoot because of strong winds. The aircraft eventually lost all power flew into the ground near Cawood,
about five miles north-east of his base at 01.05hrs. The aircraft was badly damaged but the trainee pilot escaped serious injury.
Blenheim R3752 was built to contract 1485/39 as a bomber version by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke and was awaiting collection in May 1940. It was taken on charge by 57 Squadron at Gatwick in June 1940 as a replacement for aircraft lost in The Battle of France. On 11th June 1940 it moved with the unit to Wyton, then on 24th June 1940 with the unit to Lossiemouth and on 13th August 1940 with the unit to Elgin. In November 1940 57 Squadron converted to Wellington MkIc's and the aircraft was transferred to 18 Squadron at Great Massingham. In early 1941 the aircraft was transferred to 101 Squadron at West Raynham but in May 1941 they converted to Wellington MkIc's so the aircraft was placed into MU storage. It was taken on charge by 54 OTU before the end of 1941 and as a result of the damage sustained near Cawood on 8th January 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was the assessment and it was written off.
Pilot - P/O Josef Vopálecký RAFVR (102581), from Czechoslovakia. Slightly injured.
Josef Vopálecký was born on 10th February 1911, he was training in the Czechoslovak Air Force as far back as 1931.
He escaped the Nazi invasion and flew in France in 1940 and was wounded in combat with a Dornier Do.17 when his
aircraft was hit, he force landed the aircraft near Etamps but spent ten days in hospital. He was later awarded
the French Croix de Guerre for this action. On arrival in the UK in June 1940 he was posted to 310 Squadron on its formation on 12th July 1940 and
served with them during the Battle of Britain. It was during his time at Church Fenton while converting to fly twin-engine aircraft that his
mishap at Cawood occurred. He later resumed and completed this training and was posted to 68 Squadron before 2nd February 1943 when he was the pilot
of Beaufighter X7575 which crashed at Coltishall after the failure of the undercarriage. During March 1943 he and his crewman claimed two enemy
aircraft as shot down off Norfolk. On 30th May 1943 he was taking off from Coltishall in Beaufighter V8656, the aircraft suffered an engine failure
and it swung and collided with another Beaufighter writing both aircraft off. Josef Vopálecký escaped injury but his crewman was slightly injured.
His last flight with 68 Squadron was on 19th April 1945 when the Squadron disbanded having risen through the ranks to F/Lt. He survived the War and later
returned home to his native country and died on 7th May 1995. I thank Pavel Nemec for the photograph shown above.
