[Alex Smart]

Hello Icare9,
Yes the questions of date for crash and pilots death are both confusing.
Lt. J. Bridge is/was indeed RN. He is noted in the FAA Aircraft 1939-1945 book .
Albacore BF652 - 820 Sqn night landing, ballooned, u/c collapsed Formidable, cat Z 5.12.42 ( S/Lt. J.Bridge).
Avenger JZ416 - 768 Sqn Abbotsinch 1.44 - 5.44; prop hit barrier Ravager 10.3.44 ( Lt. J.Bridge).
Barracuda BV680 - 768 Sqn u/c retracted tasting Argue 28.12.43 (S/LJ. Bridge).
Hellcat FN372 - 768 Sqn into barrier Ravager catX2 3.10.44 ( S/Lt.J.Bridge).
Seafire NF569 - 768 Sqn - Abbotsinch/Ayr/Ballyhalbert/Easthaven 11.44-11.45; Braked hard, swung, stbd oleo collapsed Abbotsinch, cat HX 23.11.44 ( Lt.J.Bridge).
Swordfish V4634 - 768 Sqn Abbotsinch 8.44; landed without hook, into barrier, cat HX 13.12.44 (Lt. J.Bridge).
He is not as far as I can find listed in FAA fixed wing a/c since 1946.
Perhaps he was demobed and was a civilian test pilot with Glosters when the Meteor crashed.
Alex