Spitfire P8252 at Catfoss airfield.
The No.2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit record book mentions a minor mishap on 3rd June 1943 when Martinet HN875 taxied into Spitfire P8252 in a strong cross wing. The unit ORB states that the damage to the Spitfire was negligible. This Spitfire was on charge with the Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU) at the time of this incident at Catfoss, whilst based at Wittering the AFDU had a detachmment at Driffield around the time of this mishap which probably explains for it being at nearby Catfoss.
Pilot - Name unknown (probably none).
Spitfire P8252 was built to contract B.981687/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Castle Bromwich as a Mk.IIa and was delivered to 12 MU at Kirkbride on 31st March 1941. On 23rd April 1941 it was taken on charge by 72 Squadron at Acklington then on 8th July 1941 the unit moved to Gravesend but the aircraft appears at Acklington as unservicable. On 23rd July 1941 it was transferred to 74 Squadron who were at Acklington. On 4th October 1941 it transferred to 122 Squadron at Catterick and two days later it moved with this unit the short distance to Scorton. On 16th February 1942 it was reported slightly damaged (Cat.B) but no details of who this occurred are yet known. It was taken to Scottish Aviation Ltd. Prestwick for repair in works and on completion of the repair on 23rd November 1942 itwas allocated to 550 Squadron at Duxford (but this was the cover name for ADFU). On 25th March 1943 it moved with this unit to Wittering then Spitfire P8252 was detached to Driffield on an unknown date. There is no mention of the incident on 3rd June 1943 in the official history of the aircraft, the damage must have been repaired locally on site. On 21st July 1943 it moved with the unit to be detached to Leconfield. After this the aircraft's history gets sketchy. On 2nd February 1944 the aircraft's history lists minor Cat.Ac damage and again this must have been repaired on site. On 4th March 1944 it was attached to No.1 Flight AFDU and on 14th August 1944 it was declared as Cat.E which would suggest damage following some form of flying accident or incident but if this was the case then no details are known or how this happened.