A 106 Squadron Fairey Battle.
On 8th April 1939 the pilot of this 106 Squadron aeroplane was returning to Thornaby aerodrome following a training flight but when he landed he forgot to lower the undercarriage. The aircraft was badly damaged and was not repaired.
Pilot - P/O Alan Claude Dier RAF (40090), of Crowbridge, Sussex.
Alan Dier received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 5th September 1937.
He was later regraded a P/O on 12th July 1938. He was the pilot of Hampden L4175 that crashed near
Finningley on 24th October 1939 (detailed on this website). He promoted to F/O (war subs) on 12th March 1940 and
F/Lt (war subs) on 12th March 1941. F/Lt Alan Dier was to loose his life on 7th July 1941 in the
Luton area, he was twenty one years old and is buried in Luton Church Burial Ground, Bedfordshire.
Battle K7563 was built to contract 424738/35 by Fairey at Stockport and was delivered to 63 Squadron on 9th June 1937 and
suffered a Cat.R/FA accident on 13th October 1938. It was repaired and returned to service and transferred to 106 Squadron on
10th January 1939. Following the accident at Thornaby on 8th April 1939 Cat.W/FA damage was the damage assessment and the aircraft was struck off charge
with 697.45hrs total flying time recorded.