Mustang at Clifton Airfield, York.

On the 15th of January 1943 the pilot of this Mustang was returning from a low flying training flight which also included aerobatics. On his return the aircraft suffered engine failure and at 14.35hrs undershot his approach to land, touched down on land ajoining the airfield and struck a lorry (thought to be on the road next to Clifton airfield in the region of the Bumper Castle public house). The aircraft crashed onto the perimeter track, the pilot escaped injury but sadly the lorry driver was killed.

The aircraft was built to purchase contract 15471 by North American at Inglewood/Dallas and shipped to the UK, arriving in March 1942. After assembly and testing at MU it was issued to 4 Sqdn at Clifton in June 1942. It suffered Cat. B/FA on 15th January 1943 and was taken away and repaired in works. After repairs were completed it was issued to 2 Sqdn at Fowlmere on an unspecified date in early 1943. It moved with unit to Sawbridgeworth on 27th April 1943 and then to Gravesend with unit on 16th July 1943 and finally to Odiham with unit on 10th August 1943. The aircraft was then transferred to training duties with 41 OTU at Hawarden in late 1943 and served with them until being struck off charge on inspection on 27th September 1944.

Pilot - P/O G Hindmarsh RAF, ok.

Lorry driver - Name as yet unknown, killed.