Date: 3rd August 1943
Unit: No. 401 Squadron R.C.A.F.
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Vb
Serial: BL339
Code: ?
Base: R.A.F. Redhill, Surrey.
Location: Underhill Farm, Buckland, Surrey
Pilot: Flying Officer Ralph Balkwill Delbridge J/9490 R.C.A.F. Age. 22 Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was flying at low level when it suddenly dived to the ground and crashed. pilot killed instantly.
F/O Ralph Delbridge killed in flying accident
HISTORY: Spitfire Mk.Vb (BL339)
Built by Vickers Armstrong at Castle Bromwich. Contract No. B981687/39
Third order for 1000 Spitfires, 23rd October 1940
Built as a Mk. Vb October / November 1941
Serial range between BL231 ñ BM653.
Armament: Two 20mm Hispano Cannons and Four .303 Browning Machine Guns.
Delivered to No. 8 M.U. on the 15th November 1941
To No. 74 Squadron 23rd November 1941
To No. 232 Squadron 8th April 1942
To A.S.T.MR. (Air Service Training, Marwell) 9th June 1942
To No. 332 Squadron 20th August 1942
To No. 431 Squadron 21st November 1942
To No. 412 Squadron 3rd February 1943
F.A.A.C. (Flying Accident Category AC) Cat: AC Repair is beyond the unit capacity (May be repaired on site by another unit or contractor)
ROS 4165 (Repaired on site, Station 4165) 25th May 1943
To No. 401 Squadron 1st June 1943
3rd August 1943 D.I.G. (Dived into the ground) Underhill Farm, Buckland, Surrey, Category E. (Cat: E Aircraft is a write-off)
Flying Officer Ralph Balkwill Delbridge, J/9490 R.C.A.F. Killed.
Burial details:
Flying Officer Ralph Balkwill Delbridge J/9490 R.C.A.F. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 45. C. 5.
Son of Franklin J. Delbridge and Eva Delbridge of Exeter, Ontario, Canada.
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