Leonard Thomas TAYLOR

Leonard Thomas TAYLOR, Flight Lieutenant 89383 Royal Air Force stationed at (Empire Flying School) RAF Hullavington, Wiltshire. Born 9th February 1922 died 1st April 1948 aged 28. He walks in glory out towards horizons bright and new. At rest in London Road Cemetery, Chippenham, Wiltshire.
Credit Colin Cummings - Final Landings and James Halley - Broken Wings
Spitfire LF9 MA709 from the EFS RAF Hullavington. The aircraft had been airborne for about 40 minutes on an all weather flying detail. The pilot was taking overshoot action from a normal approach and climbing when the front end of the aircraft enveloped in smoke and flames before an explosion was seen. The aircraft dived into the ground, near Kington St Michael inverted and was destroyed. The cause of the accident was a serious maintenance error which allowed fuel to leak into the engine compartment and ignite.