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Re: Hector losses
Alex,
The following is taken from 'Though Without Anger' - Cummings
Hope its a help
Regards
Peter
11 April 1942 K8126 Hector 2 GTS Half mile south of Weston on the Green
The aircraft was towing a glider and the combination entered cloud. The glider pilot released the tow and
made a forced landing safely but the tug carried on in cloud before reappearing at about 300 feet above the
ground in a gentle descent but on an even keel. The aircraft continued in this attitude until it struck the
ground. The cause of the accident is obscure but it it seems possible that the tug pilot did not revert to
visual flying when he cleared the cloud, although one might have thought he would be aware of his
surroundings,even if flying on instruments. The patch of cloud had formed in the area because of a
sudden deterioration in the weather
13 April 1942 K9738 Hector 101GOTU Kelmscott, Oxfordshire
The aircraft was engaged on a cross country sortie and was towing a pair of Hotspurs. During a turn, one of the gliders got above the tug aircraft and caused the tug's nose to be pulled down, at which point both glider pilots pulled off the tow and landed but the tug pilot was unable to recover from the induced dive before his aircraft struck the ground. Although it was judged that the tug pilot was too low, a decision was made to cease double towing of gliders.
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