Hornet Moth P6786 near "Sedberg", probably Sedbergh.
On 6th March 1943 reference to this aircraft making a forced landing at "Sedberg" is made in Walney Island's ORB as the aircraft was recovered by them and brought back to Walney Island for repairs to be made. The aircraft had suffered a disconnected control rod, after repairs were complete it was flown out to Stretton airfield, near Warrington, where 47 M.U. were based.
Pilot - Name unknown.
This aeroplane was built by the De Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd. at Hatfield in 1936 as a seaplane, crated and was shipped with nine other Hornet Moth seaplanes to the De Havilland Aircraft Company (Canada) Ltd, at Downsview, Toronto for sale on the commercial market. Once it got there this aircraft was retained by D.H. (Canada) Ltd. and on 17th June 1938 was registered to them as CF-BFN. The following year it was purchased by the B.P.C. under contract B.974735/39, crated and shipped back to the UK, arriving at Felixstowe. After re-assembly the initial plan was to use the aircraft as a seaplane trainer and it was taken on charge by the Communication Flight at RNAS Lee on Solent in July 1939. In September 1939 it went into MU store and was then converted to landplane. The aircraft next appears on charge with RNAS Ford Station Flight in March 1940 but was transferred the following month to RNAS Hatston Station Flight. In September 1940 it was again placed back in MU store where it remained until being taken on charge again by RNAS Hatston Station Flight in April 1942. In June 1942 it was again placed in storage at RNAS Twatt but on 14th June 1942 was flown to 47 MU at RAF Sealand for storage. Where it was going on 6th March 1943 when it crashed at Sedbergh is not known. It sustained Cat.Y/FA damage and was then dismantled and transported by road to RAF Walney Island for repair. On completion of repair it was flown to RNAS Stretton for long term storage. Post-War it was sold onto the civil market in early 1946 and registered G-AHBL by Brevet Flying Club Ltd., at Hanworth on 6th February 1946. On 20th July 1946 it was registered to West London Aero Club at White Waltham. The registration was cancelled on 1st September 1951. On 4th September 1951 it was registered to Leopald Cecil in London and then cancelled on 25th March 1953. It was then registered to registered to W.H.Byass and D.B.Lindsay at Perth on 10th April 1953. Then registered to E.Crabtree at Bradford on 3rd May 1954 but was cancelled on 19th July 1954. On 23rd July 1954 it was registered to R.L.Whyham at Blackpool and cancelled on 3rd April 1956. On 22nd May 1956 it was registered to Rollason Aircraft Ltd. at Croydon and cancelled on 15th March 1957. On 22nd March 1957 it was registered to H.H.Jones at Claygate and cancelled on 17th April 1961. On 24th June 1961 it was registered to H.B.Pritchett at Bournemouth and cancelled on 21st July 1961. On 1st August 1961 it was registered to U.H.Hamilton at Chesterfield and cancelled 36 years later on 12th February 1997. On 12th February 1997 it was registered to H.D.Labouchere at Holt and cancelled on 4th August 2009. On 4th August 2009 it was registered to Shipping and Airlines Ltd. at Biggin Hill and is still current.