Spitfire Vc AR515 crash(es)
 

This aircraft was crashed by my Grandad on 2nd November 1944 at Kirton in Lindsay/Hibaldstow. Upon googling the serial number, I found that it crash-landed in December 1942 after being damamged in action, and later in October 1943, after which it was designated Category E.
Does anyone know how this aircraft could have been designated Category E twice in it's history, as this was also the designation after my Grandad crashed (not surprisingly if you look at the pictures). Is it simply the case that somebody could have looked at it again after the 1943 incident and thought 'I think we can do something with this?"
Additionally, in the unlikely event that anyone has any further details of this incident I'd be very interested to hear them. The accident card states that the gyro was 'caged' and, taking off at 11.30pm the aircraft veered off the runway, went through a 'blister'(?) hangar and hit the small cleansing post in the photograph., but ends: "AOC + AOC i/c further report awaited", which doesn't really mean anything to me I'm afraid, so if anyone can shed any light it would be much appreciated.

Re: Spitfire Vc AR515 crash(es)
 

AR515 was with 350 Sqn on Circus 242, when it was damaged in air combat winear Sangatte, it returned to base but Crashlanded on 12-12-1942, The pilot, F/O A PLISNIER was OK.

When AR515 was with 317 Sqn it was flown by Sgt S Rudowski on 8-9-1943(when he claimed a Bf109F)

Please can you let me know your Grandfathers name please, as I lack the names for both the incidents on 8-2-1944 while with 64 Sqn (undershot landing Ford struck obtsruction) and your grandfathers incident on 9-11-44 while with 402 Sqn, when it hit building and crashlanded in field 1/2m N of Hibaldstow

Many Thanks

Paul

BTW an aircraft can initially be categorised one way, and then be re-catagorised later... However, mostly I must say in my experience in the negative direction, not very often the other way round as in your grandfathers case

Re: Spitfire Vc AR515 crash(es)
 

Paul

My grandad was Flight Sergeant A. English. The accident happened on the 2nd November, not the 9th, and at this point it was with 53 OTU Sqn.

Martin

Re: Spitfire Vc AR515 crash(es)
 

Hi Martin,

Very interesting photos, thank you for sharing with us all! I trust your grandfather survived this incident! I was wondering if you would like to add your grandfathers story on our remembrance website? We would be honoured to make a page for him. I note that you are in MK, I live in Rushden near Wellingborough, Northants. Please send me a PM if you are interested, I can then give you my e-mail address.

Thanks again,

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com

Re: Spitfire Vc AR515 crash(es)
 

Martin


Thanks for providing more detail to this inormation
Kind Regards

Paul