Hurricane KZ659 at Riccall airfield.
On 17th March 1945 this aircraft was being flown on a fighter affiliation exercise when a heavy landing at Riccall airfield occurred at 17.18hrs, this saw the aircraft receive minor damage. The flaps failed prior to landing and a tyre burst during a heavy landing, it then tipped on its nose.
Pilot - F/O Raymond George Funnell DFC RAFVR (158708).
1689 Flight had operated the fighter affiliation for these heavy conversion units until mid-November 1944 when a handful of aircraft and pilots were transferred to Riccall from November until 27th March 1945 when they moved to Marston Moor. Others say this was only a detachment of 1689 Flight to Riccall and make no reference to they ever being at Marston Moor. I would disagree and say it was a different unit. 1689 Flight's orb makes no reference to having any Riccall-based detachment.
The unit this aircraft belonged to is open to discussion. According to the Air Britain published history this Hurricane was part of 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, based at Marston Moor. The incident on 17th March 1945 is mentioned in the Riccall airfield station orb which would suggest a link to there. The unit that operated the fighter affiliation aircraft from Riccall for use in training crews at 1658, 1663 and 1652 Heavy Conversion Units is named in the Riccall airfield and also the 74 Base orbs as being the Bomber Development Training Flight (74 Base). They had a few Spitfires and Hurricanes. There is no official recognition of this unit which would have existed between November 1944 and May 1945. Riccall was most suited to being the base of these fighters because of the hanger space available, rather than at Rufforth or Marston Moor. The aircraft could have been owned by the heavy conversion units but operated by a handful of pilots outside of the HCU system, such as being attached to 74 Base (within No.7 Group). The AM Form 1180 for the accident gives the unit as No.1658 Heavy Conversion Unit.
Raymond Funnell was awarded the DFC for service with 218 Squadron during 1944.