Typhoon DN278 near Barkston Ash.
At 16.00hrs on 21st February 1943 this 183 Squadron aircraft crashed during an attempted forced-landing near Barkston Ash. The aircraft had suffered an engine failure during an air to air firing exercise and the pilot was attempting to land in a field but overshot his selected field and crashed.
Typhoon DN278 was built to contract ACFT/943 by the Gloster Aircraft Company Ltd. at Hucclecote and was awaiting collection in October 1942. The date it was taken on charge by 183 Squadron at Church Fenton is not yet known. As a result of the crash on 21st February 1943 Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was written off.
Pilot - Sgt Arthur Edward Napier RAFVR (1170681). Injured.
Arthur Napier was born on 4th February 1921 at Birmingham and enlisted for RAF service on 5th July 1940. He was granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 8th June 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. He was killed on 14th August 1944 when 164 Squadron when Typhoon MN885 crashed in France. The twenty three year old is buried at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery, France. He was awarded the DFC, which was only Gazetted well after his death on 20th October 1944. The citation for his DFC states... "This officer has set a splendid example of skill and courage. He has participated in a large number of sorties, including attacks on shipping during which two naval vessels, six minesweepers and a similar number of merchant vessels have been attacked with damaging effect, he has also taken part in many, sorties on which the enemy has been greatly harried".