Beaufighter T3177 near Driffield.
This aircraft belonged to B-Flight of the Armament Test Squadon of A&AEE and was used by Rolls Royce as a test bed for Rolls Royce Griffin IIB engines. On this flight on 2nd April 1943 the crew were undertaking cross country test flight, when, in poor visibility the pilot reduced height. A fuel problem resulted in an engine failure so he
tried to land at Driffield but one of the undercarriages would not lower so he made a forced-landing in a field near Driffield. The pilot was later commended for his actions in making the landing in difficult conditions but the aircraft may not have been repaired though it was later converted to instructional airframe 4539M on 13th February 1944.
Pilot - W/Co John Harvey Heyworth RAF (32079).
Passenger - Mr F Wilkinson.
Beaufighter T3177 was built to contract B.30264/39 by the Bristol Aeroplane Company Ltd. at Filton and was awaiting collection in January 1942. The aircraft was retained by the makers and on an unknown date it was transferred to Rolls Royce at Hucknall. As a result of the mishap near Driffield on 2nd April 1943 Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment whcih saw it written off but the aircraft was not destroyed. In May 1943 it was converted into Ground Instructional Airframe 4539M. Nothing more of it is known after this date.
Harvey Heyworth was born on 20th March 1910 in Belper, he and his brothers Peter and Alexander James "Jim" Heyworth served in the RAF, Jim would also serve at Rolls Royce also as chief test pilot. The book "Men of Power" by Robert Jackson details their lives. Harvey was educated at Rugby School and later at Edinburgh University, he then joined the RAF and was granted a Short Service Commission on 11th September 1931. After completing his training he was posted to 54 Squadron, he was promoted to F/O on 11th March 1933 and in November 1934 he was posted to 504 Squadron as a flying instructor and being assessed as an "exceptional" pilot. Having risen to F/Lt on 1st April 1936 under the terms of his commission he was transferred to the RAFO on 11th September 1936. He then took up a job with Rolls Royce immediately as one of a small number of test pilots and tested numerous aircraft up until the start of the War. He was recalled to the RAF when the war started and was promoted to S/Ldr on 1st March 1940. While on a refresher training course at 5 OTU he crashed a Spitfire (but not "P5916" as quoted in "Men of Power" as P5916 was not a Spitfire). On 8th July 1940 he was posted to 222 Squadron but just four days later was posted to command 79 Squadron throughout the rest of the Battle of Britain. He was posted away from 79 Squadron in June 1941 and was promoted to W/Co on 1st March 1942. He then left the RAF and was placed the special reserve list and returned to Rolls Royce as a test pilot. He was awarded the Air Force Cross, Gazetted on 1st January 1946, post-War he continued to work for Rolls Royce and tested numerous jet engines and aircraft and rose to become chief test pilot. He relinquished his commission in the RAFO on 20th March 1955 retaining his rank of Wing Commander. He died on 21st September 1959 and is buried in Papplewick Churchyard, Nottinghamshire.