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Post by planeimages on Jul 20, 2006 18:35:03 GMT 12
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Post by phil82 on Jul 21, 2006 11:20:40 GMT 12
Planeimages. I was at Cottesmore 1960-62, with two squadrons of Victors Mark 1a, plus a trials unit of the first Victor 2s. I witnessed the first of the accidents detailed below, and in fact saw the backseat guys leave as the aircraft headed down! I was also at the crash site. It was the first 'V' bomber crash from which all five crew survived. The information below is incorrect in stating it was a K1A, it was in fact a B1a. Unfortunately for Cottesmore, the other squadron, No 10, lost a Victor on take-off from Cyprus killing all on board, including the ground cre chief who usually went with them on overseas flights. That one crashed because of an incorrect flap setting for take-off at high weight.
14 Jun 62 XH613 Victor KlA 15 Sqn 5 miles North East of RAF Cottesmore 0
Whilst approaching RAF Cottesmore at the end of the sortie, all four engines ran down because the electrical connectors became disconnected on the throttle box. The aircraft was being flown by the squadron commander; Wg Cdr Matthews with Flying Officer Lowther as his co pilot. On the order to abandon the aircraft, it is believed that the rear crew left the aircraft in less than half a minute and,
although one man left the rubber of his flying boots along the fuselage, the entire crew survived. It was particularly tragic, therefore, that a few days later another Victor from the Cottesmore sister squadron should crash with the loss of all on board. (Crew: Captain Wg Cdr J G Matthews, Co Pilot Fg Off W B Lowther, Navigator Plotter Flt Lt G B Spencer, Navigator Radar Flt Lt B H Stubbs, Air Electronics Operator Flt Lt E W Anstead). In June 1983, the author joined Bill Lowther for a drink to celebrate his second 21st birthday!
The Victor produced some very interesting tales I can tell you! All are in my book, whenever I get around to finishing it!
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Post by planeimages on Jul 21, 2006 12:44:59 GMT 12
Hi phil82,
Thanks for the correction. A book, wow. Don't procrastinate please!
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Post by phil82 on Jul 22, 2006 15:31:16 GMT 12
I doubt it would be a best-seller Peter! Despite my somewhat unique twenty-five years in a blue suit in places unheard of today, it's mainly a record of laughter in odd places. I attack it from time to time as the mood takes me, and I'm getting there. Don't hold your breath! There is a book in all of us!
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 22, 2006 18:20:31 GMT 12
I don't know how true that is: mine's more like a magazine! ;D
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