Miles Master T8549 at Clifton airfield.
In early March 1942 the aircraft was allocated to 61 O.T.U. at Heston. On 9th March 1942 it had been collected by a pilot belonging No.4 Delivery Flight and was to be flown from East Fortune (from 60 O.T.U.) to Heston to join it's new unit. A fuel stop at Catterick was made and possibly an over night stop at Clifton would have to be taken. At 17.30hrs on 9th March 1942 this aircraft swung on landing at Clifton airfield and ran off the runway onto soft ground. The wheels dug into the ground, it tipped onto it's nose and came to rest on it's back. The aircraft was removed by road and repaired. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Certainly the time of 17.30hrs fits for the pilot landing at dusk prior to an overnight break in the delivery.
Pilot - Sgt Edwin James Alexander RAFVR (1185915). Injured.
Master T8549 was built to contract 44440/39 by Philips & Powys Ltd. at Woodley and was first test flown on 4th January 1941. Five days later it was taken on charge by 54 OTU at Church Fenton but was transferred to 60 OTU on 5th July 1941 and based at East Fortune. In early March 1942 the aircraft was allocated to 61 OTU at Heston and on 9th March 1942 had been collected by a pilot belonging No.4 Delivery Flight and to be flown from East Fortune to Heston with a fuel stop at Catterick. It may have been landed at Clifton to re-fuel again or possibly where the pilot was to remain overnight and resume the flight the following morning. Following the damage at Clifton Cat.B/FA was the assessment and it was dismantled and transported by road for repair arriving at Fairfield Aviation Ltd at Elstree on 17th March 1942. It was repaired and on 27th April 1942 it was collected by Flt.Off. Miss Stefania Wojtulanis-Karpinska (Polish ATA pilot) and ferried to Hullavington. On 27th April 1942 it was taken on charge by 10 MU at Hullavington where the aircraft remained in long term storage. On 9th September 1942 it was taken on charge by 5 PAFU at Ternhill. On 14th April 1943 it was flown to No.6 School of Technical Training at Hednesford where the aircraft was converted into ground instructional airframe 3662M. On 25th October 1944 it was struck off charge.