On 13th March 1939 this 185 Squadron aeroplane was badly damaged on landing at Thornaby aerodrome when it was landing downwind in poor visibility. A heavy landing resulted in the undercarriage collapsing. Battle L4972 was built to contract 540408/36 by Austin Motors at Longbridge, Birmingham, from where it was almost certainly delivered to 9 MU for acceptance in December 1938. It was issued to 185 Squadron in January 1939 and sustained Cat.W/FA damage as a result of the incident at Thornaby detailed above. It was converted into instructional airframe "1441M".
Pilot - S/Ldr Arthur Edward Louks RAF (27134).
S/Ldr Louks later returned to Thornaby with 220 Squadron and damaged Anson K8820 here in November 1939. He had joined the RAF in the early 1920's as in September 1928
he was granted a short service commision and given the rank of P/O on probation. In September 1933 he was granted a permanent rank of F/O. In March 1937 as F/Lt he was
posted to North Coates Fitties (probably to 2 Air Armament School (AAS) or the Air Observer School). Following his time at Thornaby it seems likely he was posted overseas,
as he was made Command Engineering Officer at Hal Far airfield, Malta, where he was stationed from mid-1940 to 1941, which must have been his posting after 220 Squadron.
He was made Temporary W/C on 1st December 1940 and to W/C on 24th September 1941. He survived the war and he continued his service rising in the post-war RAF rising to S/Ldr
until retiring on 30th December 1949 but retaining the rank of W/C.
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