Spitfire K9820 and others.

[Matheson]

Hello Martin,

Geoff Matheson was killed with my wife's father on 24 Aug 1943 flying
mosquito HJ 673 an aircraft they first flew at High Ercall on 60 O.T.U. in May 43.

Since GCM was not piloting the pranged a/c his logbook will not contribute. I did email the person with GCM's pilot's log to see if there was information about his flying on that day and here's what he reports:

I've checked Geoffrey's log book for the period around 21 April 1940. Certainly no mention of the specific Spitfire in your email (N3200). Indeed, the entry for 21 April was an engine test of N3238, a Spitfire he had already flown on 15 April. However, following the last entry for 27 April, there is an entry for 21 April (although it could be an error for 27 April) for a flight in Spitfire L1031 "to and from Duxford", lasting one hour. If he had delivered another Spitfire that day it seems strange not to have mentioned it/them in an otherwise very detailed log, not least because it must have taken up some significant time.

I note in the diary that GCM and 3 pilots had flown to Ternhill on 5th April to collect four spitfires. Not quite sure how they did this so assume they left their transport at Ternhill.

I am hoping to get a look at the Pilot's log later in October.

Best wishes,

Howard

Originally Posted by Martin Gleeson

Hello Howard,

Thanks for the very interesting contribution. Is GC a relative ?

As far as I know this is a ‘new’ Spitfire accident to most of us. There is no F.1180 accident report and no mention of it in the 19 Squadron Operational Record Book. Some units, including 19 Sqn., were reluctant to report all their prangs. I would like to identify this Spitfire if possible. I suspect, but cannot prove, it might be K9825. 19 Squadron only reported operational sorties in their F.541 ‘Detail of Work Carried Out’ part of the ORB. K9825 is last shown flying operationally on 8 April 1940 and does not appear again until 26 May. The Form 78 aircraft history card for K9825 provides no help unfortunately.
Did GC record any flights – these would be non-operational – in K9825 between 8 April and 26 May 1940 ?

As part of my research into RAF losses during 1939-1940 for the Eagles over Europe project I am especially interested in what entries he had in his logbook for 30 August 1940 with 222 Squadron as there is much confusion in records over their aircraft and pilot match-ups. Any help will be much appreciated.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.