mysterious kent crash

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

It has been a while since my computer crash back in August (again) !!! so what has been the news on this Spitfire crash if any please ?

Alex

[Leendert]

It appears that Hurricane P3869 of No 1 (F) RCAF Squadron made a crash landing at Biddenden on 26-8-1940.
But this aircraft could be repaired and the pilot was safe.......

Regards,

Leendert

[Alex Smart]

Thanks for update.

Alex

[Andy Saunders]

Alf

At exactly the location you quote I have "Sat 17 May 1941.British fighter down. Approx 17.45 hrs. Pilot Killed."

The location you describe matches exactly the wartime map reference I have for the above incident.

This was a 54 Squadron loss, Sgt Earl Joseph KEANE, RNZAF, who was 28 and lost on his 24th op. He is buried at Hornchurch. He was shot down after engaging two pairs of German fighters whilst on patrol over Maidstone.

I am pretty sure this must be your man.

Andy Saunders

[Leendert]

According the Tony Wood website E. Kean (see CWGC also) was flying Spitfire IIa P7833 on 17-5-41.

Interestingly, the spitfires.ukf.net gives for P7833 "missing off Clacton after engine failure" on 20-4-41!

Another mystery?

Regards,

Leendert
Brugge/Belgium

[Andy Saunders]

I am pretty sure the incident at Biddenden involved Sgt Keane of 54 Squadron on that date, but I do not have any accurate serial number recorded. From my notes it looks as if the ORB didn't give the s/n or else I didnt write it down (?), and it seems published sources offer some conflicting details. Maybe someone out there can offer the correct serial.

Andy Saunders

[paulmcmillan]

The incident on 20.4.41 was the one in which P/O C COLEBROOK was killed - But he could have been flying either P7383 or P7833 both of which were with 54 Sqn e

54 Sqn lost another Spitfire the same date (20.4.41) : P7666 P/O J STOKOE safe

So it is possible Kean was on P7383 on 17.5.41 but i have no information one way or another

[Leendert]

Andy,

Pilot Kean (not Keane) is indeed listed as being killed at Biddenden on 17-5-41.

The correct serial of the Spitfire (if of any further importance) is a detail to be examined.

Regards,

Leendert

[Andy Saunders]

Yes, you are quite right. It was E J Kean, without an "e" on the end. Also it was Erl Joseph as opposed to Earl. I had assumed Erl was a typo. Seemingly not.

[Alex Smart]

Hi,
Air Britain P1000 - R9999
Both P7383 and P7833 "Portadown" are BOTH given as being from 54 Sqdn AND both are given as being Missing, believed after engine failure on patrol off Clacton on 20-4-41.
Morgan and Shacklady in "Spitfire the History" also has the 20-4-41 for both losses.

Both the CWGC site and the Auckland Cenotaph site has Kean without the "e" on the end , but the Auckland one does spell christian name as Earl while the CWGC site only has Erl.
Which is correct ?

Alex