Lockheed Electra at RAF Clifton.

Lockheed 10A Electra G-AFEB of British Airways in background at Croydon (Photo Jim Rutland).

The aircraft swung off the runway on landing at Clifton on the 12th of October 1941 due to the starboard brake binding. The actual damage is currently not known but it was initially not thought to be serious and it was given Cat R. damage. The incident was not logged in 24 Sqn ORB. It may not have been sent for repair for some time, when it was, it was eventually taken to Cunliffe-Owen for repair who assessed it but wrote it off.

The aircraft was built by Lockheed at Burbank, California and purchased as new and first registered on 1st February 1938 as G-AFEB by British Airways Ltd at Gatwick. The aircraft was delivered to British Airways Ltd on 28th February 1938. The purpose of the purchase was to use the aircraft on the new Poland/Hungary routes. On the out break of War British Airways Ltd merged with Imperial Airways to form B.O.A.C. On 9th September 1939 the aircraft is listed as flying to Heston for Military Mission and as being on charge with B.O.A.C. From 16th to 22nd October 1939 the aircraft is listed as being on charge with the Air Ministry's National Air Communications office but it was not officially taken over by N.A.C. until 4th January 1940. On 18th December 1939 the aircraft was delivered to Hendon, camouflaged was painted on and it was given roundels but still carried it's civil registration. On 19th December 1939 it flew the route Hendon, Le-Bourget and back to Hendon by S/Ldr Pilling. On 27th March 1940 it flew its last flight as G-AFEB, Hendon-Le-Bourget-Hendon by F/Lt Blennerhasset, and then had a complete overhaul. On 12th April 1940 it was impressed into RAF service as W9104. On8th September 1940 it was first used by 24 Sqdn as W9104. On 12th November 1940 it flew the route Belfast-Sealand-Farnborough-Hendon by P/O Marsh and crew. It sustained the damage at Clifton as detailed above on 12th October 1941 and was given Cat B/FA damage. It went to Cunliffe Owen for repair but they it deemed not worth repairing and it was struck off charge as Cat.E1 on 9th July 1942.

Pilot - unknown, uninjured.