Spitfire P7974 near Cottingham.
On 3rd April 1944 this Central Gunnery School aircraft was being flown in the Hull area in thick cloud with what the pilot thought was with a faulty radio set. He became lost and unable to contact anyone for help he descended when the aircraft began to run out of fuel. The pilot force landed the aeroplane in the Cottingham area with the wheels up and it sustained damage. The radio set was found to be working, it was stated that the pilot did not know how to operate it correctly. The damage was assessed on site as being repairable, with Cat.B damage (which would have meant the aircraft was taken to a works factory). At the start of the repair it was re-assessed on 14th April 1944 as being beyond repair and was written off.
Pilot - Name unknown.