Spitfire K9940 at Church Fenton aerodrome.
On 15th June 1939 this 72 Squadron aircraft was slightly damaged at Church Fenton aerodrome when it undershot on landing, struck a fence and tipped on to its nose.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Spitfire K9940 was built to contract 527113/36 by Vickers Armstrong (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and was taken on charge by 72 Squadron at Church Fenton on 24th April 1939. As a result of the landing accident there on 15th June 1939 Cat.M/FA damage was the assessment which saw it repaired on site. The squadron undertook moves to Leconfield on 15th October 1939, Drem on 28th October 1939, Leconfield on 12th January 1940, Church Fenton on 13th January 1940, Acklington on 2nd March 1940, Gravesend on 1st June 1940, Acklington on 6th June 1940, Biggin Hill on 31st August 1940, Croydon on 1st September 1940 and Biggin Hill on 14th September 1940. On 6th October 1940 it was damaged in a bombing raid on Biggin Hill that saw Cat.R damage being given as the damage assessment. On 3rd December 1940 it was collected by a detachment from 12 MU from Kirkbride and transported to 1 CRU at Cowley where it arrived on 12th December 1940. It was made servicable in a short period of time and on 1st January 1941 it was taken on charge by 58 OTU at Grangemouth. On 22nd March 1941 it swung on landing at Grangemouth and tipped on it's nose sustaining Cat.R/FA damage. It was sent to Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick for a repair in works. On 26th June 1941 it was flown to 45 MU at Kinloss. On 9th July 1941 it was taken on charge by the Central Gunnery School at Castle Kennedy. On 5th December 1941 it moved with this unit to Chelveston and on 27th December 1941 overturned on landing there. Cat.M/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. The unit moved to Sutton Bridge on 1st April 1942. On 28th July 1942 it went to 1 CRU at Cowley for unspecified repairs. On 2nd December 1942 it passed to 39 MU at Colerne where it was probably stored. Much later on 27th November 1943 it was taken on charge by 53 OTU at Kirton in Lindsey. On 21st February 1944 it was belly landed at Kirton in Lindsey when the undercarriage jammed up. Cat.A/FA damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On 12th August 1944 it was transferred to 42 OTU at Ashbourne. On 28th October 1944 it passed to 9 MU at Cosford and was struck off charge on 18th December 1944. I thank Graham Sharpe for researching this history.