Spitfire AB981 near Whitwell, Catterick.
Between 11.10hrs and 12.25hrs on 10th February 1943 401 Squadron Spitfire AB981 was flown by Sgt J.E.Becker on a formation flying training flight with two other squadron aircraft. The pilot carried out the exercise without incident and landed normally at Catterick. At around 14.15hrs AB981 and two other 401 Squadron Spitfires took off from Catterick with their pilots also tasked with undertaking formation practice. F/Sgt Maybee was flying AB981 but unfortunately had not checked the fuel level prior to taking off. The three pilots undertook the flying exercise but at 15.15hrs Spitfire AB981 ran out of fuel which caused the engine to stop. The pilot may well have been trying to glide back to Catterick but eventually had to force land three miles short in a field near Manor Farm, Whitwell, at 15.15hrs and it was slightly damaged.
Pilot - F/Sgt P T Maybee RCAF (R/82348).
Maybee appears to have been posted in to 401 Squadron toward the end of January 1943 although his posting in is not listed in squadron record book. He is listed as first flying with them on 1st February 1943. "P.T.Maybee" disappears from the 401 Squadron records on 13th February 1943 although no posting out of the unit is listed. From 15th February 1943 F/Sgt N.W. (Norman Walter) Maybee becomes a regular name in their record book despite his posting in to the squadron not being listed. Both names are probably one and the same. Norman Walter Maybee's mother was P.T.Maybee but why he was known by these initials is not clear. On 20th December 1943 Norman Maybee was flying Spitfire MH845 when it collided with another 401 Squadron aircraft, Spitfire MJ172 over Eindhoven. Both pilots were made PoWs.
Spitfire AB981 was built to contract B.981687/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Castle Bromwich and was delivered to 6 MU at Brize Norton on 7th September 1941. On 12th September 1941 it was taken on charge by 403 Squadron at Debden. It then moved with 403 Squadron over the coming months, moving to Martlesham Heath on 3rd October 1941, North Weald on 24th December 1941, Southend on 2nd May 1942, back to Martlesham Heath on 3rd June 1942, Catterick on 19th June 1942, Manston on 1st July 1942, back to Catterick on 8th July 1942, back to Manston on 16th August 1942, back to Catterick four days later. On 2nd October 1942 403 Squadron moved to Kenley and on 10th October 1942 back to Catterick. On 23rd January 1943 403 Squadron moved south to Kenley and were replaced at Catterick the same day by 401 Squadron. It is likely that Spitfire AB981 was being serviced at Catterick and did not make the move with 403 Squadron but once operational again was taken on charge by 401 Squadron at Catterick. As a result of the damage on 10th February 1943 minor Cat.A(c)/FA damage was the initial damage assessment, this was late upgraded to Re-Cat.B and it was transported for repair at Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick. On 1st July 1943 it was taken on charge by 165 Squadron at Ibsley. On 19th July 1943 it was transferred to 501 Squadron at Hawkinge. On 15th December 1943 it was transferred to 504 Squadron at Peterhead and on paper it moved with them to Hornchurch on 19th January 1944. On 26th January 1944 it was transferred to 129 Squadron at Peterhead (but this would suggest it never made the trip to Hornchurch and was under going a service when 504 Squadron moved south from Peterhead). On 16th March 1944 it moved to Heston with 129 Squadron, on 30th March 1944 it moved with them to Llanbedr and on 6th April 1944 it moved with 129 Squadron to Coolham. On 17th June 1944 it was transferred to 278 Squadron at Bradwell Bay but was detached to Martlesham Heath. It moved around with 278 Squadron from then on, on 24th September 1944 to Bradwell Bay, on 13th November 1944 it was detached to Hornchurch, on 15th February 1945 it moved with the unit to Thorney Island and on 24th February 1945 it was detached to Hawkinge. The aircraft was struck off charge on 15th May 1945.