Looking for Information

[Mike C]

I am looking for information on an Incident on 24th July 1943 when three aircraft, P-38 Lightning, Spitfire and Mosquito were on a test flight, the latter two aircaft returned to base safely whilst the USAAF Lightning crashed killing the pilot. Any information and photographs regarding the two RAF members F/O. A. Glover and S/Ldr. M.D.S. Hood would be much appreciated.

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Mike,

Michael Douglas Sutcliffe Hood DFC* was from 540 Sqn, based at RAF Benson (106 (PR) Wg)

A. Glover was from 541 Sqn, also at Benson (106 (PR) Wg)

US pilot was Capt Thomas B. O'Bannon 13PS/7PRMG, based at Mount Farm

Conducting performance tests as F-5As weren't living up to expectations and 7PRMG was experiencing a high loss rate.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Alex Smart]

Hi,
From "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" vol 1.
24th July 1943
P38G-10-LO 42-12907 details unknown.

F-5A-3-LO 42-12781
7th PG, 13th PS
Pilot Capt. Thomas B. O'Bannon
T/O on test flight from Benson at 1128 hrs. Crashed at Home Farm, Hatton Warwickshire.
Initially buried in Brookwood Plot F-2-17, now in Pennsylvannia, USA. KNO.

F-5A-10-LO 42-13077
7thPG, 13th PS
Pilot 1Lt. walter D. Shade
T/O Mount Farm at 1500 hrs to perform high altitude test flight.
Soon after take off the right engine began to run rough and Lt. Shade was foprced to bale out near Wallingford.
A/c had been received from contractors on the 6th January 1943 and had only 26.7 hrs flying time at time of accident. RTD.

Two P47's from the 353rd FG 352nd FS were involved in a fatal collision both pilots were KNO.
I have not included their or Bomber details here as the question refered only to Lightnings.

All for now
Alex