Hurricane V7613 at Dishforth airfield.
On 19th May 1943 this 288 Squadron aircraft was flown from Digby to Dishforth without incident. Later in the day it took off for the return flight when it suffered engine failure shortly after taking off from Dishforth airfield. The aircraft had climbed to 300 feet prior to the failure, the pilot made a swift landing at 19.30hrs in a field near the airfield but the aircraft sustained damage.
Pilot - G/C Ernest Archibald McNab DFC RCAF (C/134).
Hugh Halliday's RCAF awards research gives a long account of this officer's long service that started way back in 1926. He served in the Battle of Britain with No.1 RCAF Squadron which saw him awarded a DFC. He retired in 1957.
Hurricane V7613 was built to contract 62305/39 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. at Langley and was flown to No.5 MU at Kemble on 8th October 1940. On 10th October 1940 it was taken on charge by 238 Squadron at Chilbolton. On 10th November 1940 it suffered engine failure and the pilot attempted to land at Odiham but undershot and crashed. Cat.R/FA damage was the damage assessent and on 14th November 1940 it was transported to the Austin Motor Company Ltd, at Longbridge for a repair in works. Once servicable on 23rd April 1941 it went to 10 MU at Hullavington. On 18th May 1941 it was taken on charge by the Station Flight at Northolt. On 8th November 1941 it was transferred to 55 O.T.U. at Usworth but on 30th January 1942 it suffered engine failure and was force landed at Stannington, Northumberland. Cat.B/FA damage was the damage assessment. On 10th February 1942 it was transported to Taylorcraft Ltd. at Rearsby for a repair in works. Once servicable on 23rd April 1942 it went to 27 MU at Shawbury. On 20th August 1942 it was taken on charge by 288 Squadron at Digby. On 19th May 1943 it crashed near Dishforth. Cat.Ac/FA damage was the initial damage assessment but on 27th May 1943 it was upgraded to Re.Cat.B and it was sent for a repair in works. On 3rd July 1943 it went to 20 MU at Aston Down and on 29th August 1943 it went to 52 MU (Packing Depot) at Pengam Moors, Cardiff. On 29th October 1943 it embarked on the S.S.Havildar for India. On arrival there it was taken on charge by 304 MU aircraft erection unit at Santa Cruz, Bombay. It appears to have been struck off charge on 30th June 1944 at 310 MU Drigh Road following an accident and converted to a ground instructional airframe.