Beaufighter T4758 at Catfoss airfield.
During the evening of 4th February 1943 the trainee pilot of this No.2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit aircraft was detailed to undertake a circuits and landings training exercise at Catfoss airfield. On the take off run prior to the eventual accident the aircraft swung to starboard and while the pilot regained control he abandoned the take off run, he then taxied back to the take off point and then successfully took off. He then flew a circuit and landed normally. On the next take off at 18.15hrs the aircraft again swung to starboard but this swing was not brought under control. The aircraft left the runway and ran across wet grass until it hit the airfield ammunition store building. It then crashed into a small copse and burst into flames. The pilot sustained serious leg injuries.
Beaufighter T4758 was built to contract B.41906/39 by Fairey Aviation Ltd. at Heaton Chapel, Stockport and was awaiting collection in June 1941. The date of the aircraft arrived at 2 (C)O.T.U. is not yet known but it only appears to have served with them. As a result of the crash on 4th February 1943 Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded and it was written off.
Pilot - Sgt Murray George Smith RAAF (416730). Injured.
Murray Smith was born on 5th July 1923 in Kooringa, South Australia and enlisted for RAAF service in Adelaide on 16th August 1941. Following training he was awarded his pilot's Wings on 31st March 1942. He arrived in the UK in August 1942 and following training at 6 (P)AFU and 60 OTU he was posted to 2 (C)OTU on 23rd November 1942. He was seriously injured when Beaufighter T4758 crashed at Catfoss and spent many months at RAF Rauceby hospital. On 15th February 1944 he was posted to 9 OTU but then days later it was deemed for him to return to Rauceby for further months. Later in 1944 he was posted to 132 OTU. He then appears to have been selected for posting back to Australia though then served with 15 (P)AFU and 3 School of General Rec. He was repatriated in Summer 1945.