On the 20th November 1947 this Auxilary pilot was undertaking a cross-country navigation exercise from RAF Hullavington to Hawarden, then to RAF Turnhouse. The aircraft flew into the ground on Ill Crag, on the Scafell range killing the pilot. A search was put into action but because of weather conditions the aircraft wreckage was not located. It was not until 1st May 1948 that a young shepherd located the aircraft and the pilots body was finally recovered and given a burial. Once again, David Earl's book "Hell on High Ground" gives an excellent account of this incident.

Pilot - F/Lt Donald James Ott Loudon AFC RAF (53250), aged 25, of Halstead, Kent. Buried Halton Churchyard, Bucks. (Grave 172). He was a flying instructor.

The aircraft wreckage remained pretty much intact on the site until the mid 1990's when it was recovered for an attempted rebuilt project, this included the Merlin engine. Whilst this recovery removed much of what remained at the site fair remains are still to be seen in scree close to the crash site.

A memorial plaque at the crash site, in need of some attention. This was placed here by a group including Dave Earl.

A photograph of the general area of the crash, the aircraft crashed towards the centre left of the photograph. The main tourist route upto Scafell Pike is also visable, one imagines many thousand people walk up here every year not knowing these events. A Piper Cherokee would crash close to this Spitfire 20 years later, this incident is also detailed on this website.

One of the peices at the crash site with a readable part number confirming the type of aircraft involved.