[Roundway]

Thank you for all your comments, gentlemen.

Chris. There were no radio transmissions according to the F1180; it simply records A/C missing in transit with 11 casualties.

Weather is certainly another option; the chart at the time the aircraft left Portreath showed an active frontal system approaching 10W. From the information available I'd estimate the freezing level to be 8000-10000 ft, so icing might have had a role to play.

If the F1180 is to be believed although the pilot had 129 hours on type, and the co-pilot 350, neither had any night-flying experience on type - which seems a little strange.

Col. I suspect that all RAF/RAFVR personnel were listed as members of 271 Squadron for the duration of the flight irrespective of their normal unit. F/O W M Henderson (132361), for example, was a meteorologist en route to a Mediterranean posting. If that is the case then the CWGC's error is in listing Cashmore's death as being on the 21st instead of the 19th.

Dan. Thanks for the additional information about Lt Andrew Jervis Hawkins, RN.

Brian