RAF Fraserburgh
 

RAF Fraserburgh - Inverallochy.

I am trying to find details of a Spitfire crash in 1942 / 43 from the base.

It appears to be 17 group 8 OTU Spitfire where the pilot crashed into the sea at the end of a runway and drowned. Trying to find information about this.

Anybody any clues?

Re: RAF Fraserburgh
 

It may be Sgt F.J. Richardson, flying Spitfire X4501 on 22nd Jan 1943.

Any additional info welcome.

Re: RAF Fraserburgh
 

Hello,

Sgt Richardson was lost in Spitfire PR.VII X4333, not X4501*

22 January 1943
No.8(C)OTU
Spitfire PR.VII X4333

Stalled on approach to landing near Fraserburgh; the aircraft spun into the sea and the pilot was killed,

1237358 Sgt Frederick John RICHARDSON RAFVR +

* Sgt F V MOONEY overturned Spitfire X4501 in a field on 22 January, 1943, due to the engine cutting out.

Col.

Re: RAF Fraserburgh
 

Spitfire X4501 1 PRU 12/7/1941. Nr Vaasetter.

The Spitfire was returning from a photographic sortie off the Norwegian coast when nearing Fair Isle it suffered an engine failure. The pilot managed to make a perfect belly landing close to the airstrip and the aircraft apart from a damaged engine, battered cowl and a few dented panels to the underside was more or less unscathed with the pilot uninjured. In the weeks following the crash the aircraft was dismantled by a salvage team and removed to be repaired and fly again.
Pilot: F/O M.D.S.Hood