Defiant Mk.I N3378 of 255 Sqn RAF crashed at Near Bleaklow Stones 29th August 1941 while flying from Turnhouse (Edinburgh Airport) to Hibaldstow. It is believed that the aircraft may have come under fire from a Spitfire operating in the Durham area but this seems not to have been proven fully.

Crew / Passengers

Rank - if applicable

Position e.g. Pilot

Status

 James Craig

Pilot Officer

Pilot

Killed (survived crash)

 George Daniel Hempstead

Aircraftsman

Passenger

Killed (survived crash)

 

Above is the site as it appeared in early 2000, for many years large amounts of aircraft were left at the site though this was recovered for preservation, the wreckage can now be found in Wolverhampton.

 

The main site seen in 2006.

 

A small plaque was once attached to one of the crosses (one can also be found at the crash site of Wellington R1011) but it has fallen off and broken

and now lies next to the cross it was once attached to.

 

The site with Near Bleaklow Stones in the background.

 

Near by is the area where the aircraft actually crashed and was left until the subsequent recoveries of the 70s, 80s and 90s

 

Wreckage on display

 

Above it s photo taken by Mark during a visit to the Boulton Paul Aircraft Heritage Project in May 2003. Image copyright Mark Sheldon

 

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