Beaufighter T4729 at Catfoss airfield.
On 23rd December 1942 the port undercarriage of this 2 (C)O.T.U. aircraft collapsed on landing at Catfoss airfield at 19.00hrs, the aircraft was slightly damaged.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Beaufighter T4729 was built to contract B.41906/39 by Fairey Aviation Ltd. at Heaton Chapel and was awaiting collection in May 1941. It was taken on charge by 143 Squadron soon after they formed at Aldergrove on 15th June 1941. 143 Squadron moved to Thornaby on 4th July 1941, Drem on 19th July 1943 and Sumburgh on 29th September 1941. In October 1941 it was transferred to 236 Squadron at Carew Cheriton who then moved to Wattisham on 9th February 1942. In July 1942 236 Squadron ceased operating Mk.If's so this aircraft was transferred to 2 (C)O.T.U. at Catfoss. As a result of the damage on 23rd December 1942 minor Cat.A/FA damage resulted and it was repaired on site. It returned to it's unit only to be reported missing on 8th August 1943 when it failed to return from a training flight over the North Sea. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded. It's then crew, Sgt Eric Havenhand and Sgt Sidney Albert Bertie were initially recorded as missing but Sgt Havenhand's body was recovered from the sea some 8km east of Lille Skagen two months later and he is buried in Frederikshavn Cemetery.