Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

As the title says , has anybody more info on Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise. T/O RAF Spitalgate Grantham 9/8/43 and it is believed the pilot Sigfred Johannes Christophersen ( Danish ) became lost and attempted to land at RAF Bottesford's Q site. Christophersen was killed when the A/C exploded and burnt out 10/8. Christophersen had spent an interesting if not productive time with the SIS earlier back in Denmark. There is no mention of any other crew members killed on some websites and others say 3 were killed but 2 are un named. I have checked the CWGC site but can not find any related deaths. So would a pilot fly a Blenheim solo and some web sites making presumptions it had a full crew ? An intresting part of the story is Christophersen's new English wife blamed one of his SIS team for his death. TIA Shaun

Re: Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

Hello,
Thank Henk for all his work.
From one of his lists -
K7050
12(P)AFU
10/8/1943
P/O. Christophersen, Sigfred Johannes - 151948 - RAFVR - Grantham Cemetery, Lincolnshire.
W/O. Allen, Charles - 239936 - RAF - Tottenham Cemetery, Essex.
Sgt(WAG). Pearce, Frank -129074 - RAFVR - Clacton Cemetery, Essex.

Alex

Re: Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

Thank you very much.

Re: Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

Sgt(WAG). Pearce, Frank -129074 - RAFVR is listed with the 6 A.A.C.U
(No. 6 Anti Aircraft Co-operation Unit)
W/O. Allen, Charles - 239936 - RAF is listed with 18 R.C RAF - No. 18 Recruits Centre ?

Re: Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

Hello,

Re: Frank PEARCE/6 AACU. Possibly involved in this incident:

10-8-1943
6 AACU
Oxford I X6807

Abandoned 1.5m W. of St. Asaph, Denbighshire, after vibration affected control while on searchlight cooperation.

See: The Oxford, Consul & Envoy File/Hamlin/A-B/111

+ http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ils/r/C6577827

Col.

Re: Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

Thank you Col

Re: Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

I find no evidence that K7050 was being flown by anything other than the pilot solo

Re: Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

Just been reading up on The Hornet's Sting about Thomas Sneum who was with SIS and Christophersen, Sigfred Johannes in Denmark and gives a detailed account of Sigfred last flight and doesn't mention anybody else. So I think he must have been flying solo. Thanks for all your help.

Re: Blenheim Mk I K7050 of 12(P)AFU on a night exercise 10/8/43.
 

Graham Warner in Bristol Blenheim Edition 2 only lists the Pilot

I found out recently that when 12 Sqn in later 1929's converted new Pilots to Fairey Fox, they ALWAYS flew Solo for a set number of trips before they the aircraft was fully crewed - I assume to limit the risk of multiple casualties on a fresh pilot with a new aircraft

After a series of tests were completed, the pilot and aircraft flew with crew. I wonder if the same was the case at P(ADU) units

I.e get Pilot familiar with aircraft solo, before adding the others