Spitfire P8588 crash on 21 October 1941

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 21 October 1941 the Spitfire IIb P8588 "Scaefell" of 132 Sqn RAF was written off on 21st October 1941 when it was crash-landed in a field near Peterhead in Scotland after engine failure.

Can someone provide the pilot's name and fate ?

I would like also confirmation of the crash site: I have one source giving Peterhead, another giving Pitluarg, Aberdeen, but I could not find such a place ?

Thanks in advance

[davew]

I have the injured pilot's name as RUSSELL A.G.

The location was Pitlurg railway station, on a now demolished railway line. There is a farm, Home Farm of Pitlurg, at OS reference NJ022334 and the station would have been a little to the west of that.

regards

DaveW

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Possibly, 745042 Sgt Anthony Gerald RUSSELL RAFVR (120491 P/O). This name needs confirmation, Russell was ex-BoB. There was another A. G. Russell - 1376331 Arthur George RUSSELL (115544 P/O).

Aircraft presentation name was "SCAWFELL".

Sgt Russell was aboard No.132 Sqn Spitfire Ia R7215 "STOCKPORT" on 11 September 1941, which swung off the runway at Peterhead, collapsing the undercarriage (Cat. Ac). Russell was unhurt.

See: Gifts of War/Boot & Sturtivant. pp.279 & 300.

Col.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks a lot for these quick replies !

As for the crash location, there is a wikipedia about on Pitlurg railway station:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitlurg_railway_station

And here is the map with the coordinates given by this page:
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=57...66600&z=12&m=w

[davew]

A bit more digging comes up with the exact location of Pitlurg station. Extrapolation from this old map to the modern metric map gives the coordinates NJ021344.

http://maps.nls.uk/view/75474255

DaveW

[ian94avenge]

Just to confirm pilot details I have,

P8588 IIb 132 Sqn Pitluarg Railway Station, Aberdeenshire. 1130 hrs Cat B. Formation flying. Engine failed in flight, lost power. Crash landed, wind under right wing caused left to hit ground first. Sgt A G Russell 1376331 injured.

Regards,

Ian

[JohnE]

AIR 78 then gives us the full name: Arthur George Russell (later 115544).

John Engelsted