Spitfire Mk.IX BS347 near Thirsk.
On 13th November 1944 this Central Fighter Establishment aircraft was being flown on a straffing exercise in the Thirsk area when the pilot misjudged his height and the aircraft flew into the top branches of a tree at 11.30hrs. The AM Form 1180 makes no mention that the pilot then either made a forced landing or landed anywhere other than his home airfield. The AM Form 1180 has the location "Milfield" crossed out which would suggest it landed here. The Central Flying Establishment had its headquarters at Wittering but appears to have been in used by the Day Fighter Development Wing based at Milfield.
Pilot - P/O William Gordon McConnochie RNZAF (NZ.41517).
Spitfire BS347 was built to contract B.19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Southampton. It was built as a Mk.V but before completion it was converted to a Mk.IX by Rolls Royce Ltd. at Hucknall. The aircraft was first flown on 19th September 1942 and was then taken on charge two days later by 122 Squadron at Hornchurch. On 29th September 1942 it moved with the unit to Martlesham Heath and on 3rd October 1942 it again moved with the unit back to Hornchurch. In November 1942 it went to R.A.E. at Farnborough for stabilisation and negative G trials. On 19th May 1943 it was taken on charge by 222 Squadron at Hornchurch. On 24th August 1943 it was transferred to 65 Squadron at Kingsnorth and then moved to Ashford with the unit on 5th October 1943. On 13th October 1943 it went to A.S.T.Ltd. at Hamble for modifications. Once ready it was taken on charge by the C.F.E.(D.F.D.W.) but no for this is known. As a result of the incident near Thirsk on 13th November 1944 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the initial damage assessment but there are no details known of what happened to it after it was made servicable. On 12th April 1949 it was converted to Ground Instructional Airframe 6063M.