87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

Hi,

On 12th July 1938 two 87 Sqn Gladiators K7972 and K7980 were involved in some sort of accident, possibly a ground collision, at Brunville/Branville, France.

Would anyone have any further details of this incident?

Regards,

Alex

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

In french service archive SHD (Service Historical Defense)
Some accident rapport exist ( accident during Meeting "Fete de l'Air Villacoublay Airfield ", perhaps training before, or in the travel)
Number file : 2B137

2B137 12/07/1938 Brunville FEENY LTT.(p).GLOSTER Gladiator.Mk.I N°K7972
2B137 12/07/1938 Brunville LORIMER xxxx LTT.(p).GLOSTER Gladiator.Mk.I N°K7980
2B137 12/07/1938 Brunville POPE xxxx Col.(p). GLOSTER Gladiator.Mk.I N°K8027

I have not the rapport myself, you need contact SHD in Vincennes, sure it's not easy !!!

Bsrg, Dan

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the info. It now gives me something else to work with.

Alex

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

Flight archives, its not the accident but mentions two of the pilots and might explain what was going on!!

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchi...imer&tracked=1

Brooklands Air Display

After this it seemed too much to expect further inspiration. But a flight of Gladiators of No. 87 (F.) Squadron from Debden, Essex, supplied the impossible. For at least twenty minutes,
possibly longer, they performed tied together aerobatics that were sheer joy to watch. No matter what the manoeuvre, whether a dive on the clubhouse, an upward roll, or a half-roll off
a loop, the flagged cords linking the three together never varied their windstreamed curve; were never pulled taut, never in danger of being broken. A radio commentary by the leader added to the interest. Each time he was about to perform a new evolution he turned his operative "Go ! " into a sort of long-drawn-out war-whoop: F/O. G. H. J. Feeny (flight leader), P/O. R. L. Lorimer and Fit. Sgt. Dewdney were the pilots.

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

This is from the magazine published after the show.
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchi...blay&tracked=1

The Visit to France

E

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for the info. I suspect that the two pilots came into contact at some point during their stay at Brunville.

I'll keep digging.

Just been having a browse through the net and found the following;

On 16th during their return flight to Britain the four Gladiators all made forced landings near Dieppe due to heavy fog. I suspect that the two Gladiators made contact during the landings here.

The dates differ, but there could have been a typo.

Alex

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

Hello Alex,
Francis k. Mason's "Gloster Gladiator" book on page 46 has mention of the three pilots and their tied together formation aerobatics.
There is also a picture of three 87 sqdn Gladiators in tied together formation, not a good enough one to see serial numbers though.
The same photo is on page 36 of "Aerobatic Teams of the World", serial numbers are visible. Lead a/c K8027,right a/c K7972, left a/c K7967. Photo credit is Charles E. brown/ RAF Museum.

On page 122 of Mason's "Gloster Gladiator"
"No 87 (F) Sqdn debden, 1937-38: K7966 - K7975, K7977-K7981 (initial issue; new aircraft ex works 6/37); the following aircraft performed tied together aerobatics at Villacoublay, France and hendon, 1938: K7967 flown by Sgt. Dewdney, K7972 flown by R.L. Lorimer, K8027 flown by F/O G.H J. Feeny, flight leader; K8026-K8028, K8033 (new aircraft ex works 4/38)."
The "K file" has all three aircraft (K7972, K7980, K8027) serving well into the 1940's so all survived the incident.

K7967 and K7968 collided on landing at Debden on 29-9-37 both RoS.

from a Very old Airfix Small magazine there is a photo of 87 Sqdn in formation, a/c are K7968,K7969, K7972,K7981,K7977 &K7974. K7968 does not carry the fuselage Sqdn colours but what looks like another Sqdn's colours. on another page a profile caption says that the wheel discs on K7967 were red.

Alex

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the info.

Alex

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

Hi Alex,

I stumbled across this thread while searching for information on 87 Squadron. My uncle was Lawrie Lorimer who was one of the pilots performing the aerobatic displays described in the thread. I also have a photo of two crashed Gladiators which I suspect are the two you are interested in. I know that Lawrie was involved in the display at Brooklands in June 1938 and in the one at Le Bourget in July 1938 as I have letters he wrote to his mother (my grandmother) at the time. Lawrie was killed in France on 14 May 1940 while serving with No 1 Squadron.

I'd be very interested to know more about your interest in 87 Squadron as I have various other relevant photographs, news paper cuttings, letters etc.

Regards,

Patrick

Re: 87 Sqn incident France 1938
 

Hi Patrick,

Email sent

Alex