whirlwind P6996 loss

[brewerjerry]

Hi All,
I am trying to tie up a loose end,
I have conflicting info for P6996.

1) crashed 15 sep 41 cat E
2) 25 sep 41 reported lost due to enemy action

Anyone know which is the correct date / fate ?
cheers
Jerry

[Juha]

Hello Jerry
because specialists haven’t yet answered I looked Bingham’s book Appendix 1, according to it “To R-R for engine development 28.8.41. Crashed 15.9.41 Cat E.” You probably got your info from this source but one never knows for sure, so therefore this message.

Juha

[brewerjerry]

Hi Juha,
yes, top line from binghans book, second line from an official communication.
Thus i am confused.
cheers
Jerry

[niallc]

Jerry

For once the Airlife book is actually correct.

P6996 was damaged Cat E in an accident at Charmy Down on 15 September. Overshot landing, attempted to go round again, but hit P7039 (which was parked) and then a nissen hut and caught fire. Sgt. Pilot Meredith was only slightly injuried but an airman in the hut suffered multiple fractures. P7039 needed a new rudder and starboard outer wing and P6996 was beyond repair. The wreck was dismantled and sent on the 20th to Westland CRO at Ilchester for salvage.

HTH
Niall

[Juha]

Thanks for info, Niall!

Juha

[brewerjerry]

Originally Posted by niallc

Jerry

For once the Airlife book is actually correct.

P6996 was damaged Cat E in an accident at Charmy Down on 15 September. Overshot landing, attempted to go round again, but hit P7039 (which was parked) and then a nissen hut and caught fire. Sgt. Pilot Meredith was only slightly injuried but an airman in the hut suffered multiple fractures. P7039 needed a new rudder and starboard outer wing and P6996 was beyond repair. The wreck was dismantled and sent on the 20th to Westland CRO at Ilchester for salvage.

HTH
Niall

H Naill,
Many thanks for the info,
This a/c and a few others have 'bugged' me for a while
Next i just have to find how long it was at r-r

any details on P6992 ? broke in air wittering 20.4.41 ?

cheers
Jerry

[niallc]

Originally Posted by brewerjerry

H Naill,
Many thanks for the info,
This a/c and a few others have 'bugged' me for a while
Next i just have to find how long it was at r-r

any details on P6992 ? broke in air wittering 20.4.41 ?

cheers
Jerry

Jerry
The answer to how long it was at Rolls-Royce is a short one. It never went there. The Aircraft Movement Card clearly records this as R-R SAS - ie Servicing Air Section. In other words a Rolls-Royce servicing party worked on the aircraft while it was with 263 Sqn. rather than the aircraft going to Rolls.

I have the story on P6992. which I'll post later when I'm back with my files.

Niall

[niallc]

Jerry

As promised, what I have on P6992:

30/12/40: TOC and allotted to 18MU, Dumfries. 13/02/41: To 263 Sqn. 22/02/41: Sternframe castings fractured at St. Eval. Repaired on site by Westland CRO and returned to squadron., 20/04/41: Crashed when part of aircraft, believed to be a leading edge slat, detached while performing rolls at very low level at Wittering. Aircraft crashed and FO Bernard Howe killed.

The Accident Report card for the aircraft reveals that the aircraft was dived from approx 5,000 ft., crossed the airfield at very high speed at approx 20 ft. altitude, at which point Howe performed two slightly inclined rolls (which were completed under control) after which some part of the aircraft (subsequently presumed to be one of the outer slats) detached and fell away from the aircraft whch then crashed.

This was one of a brief sequence of accidents/incidents to Whirlwinds (along with a similar Hampden incident) that led to to the outer slats on Whirlwind being locked shut. Aircraft from P7054 onwards were delivered from the factory with them locked shut and those already in service were modified.

I do by the way have some nagging doubts about the real location of this accident.

Hope it helps
Niall

[paulmcmillan]

Niall

I have asked on RAF Commands if anyone can confirm death registration district for Howe..

Paul

[paulmcmillan]

Originally Posted by niallc

Jerry


I do by the way have some nagging doubts about the real location of this accident.

According to DaveW on RAF Commands the death is registered at Peterborough - So Wittering is a strong possiblity..

There is a strong sence of 'bravo' in the incident - I wonder if Howe was previously stationed there or knew someone on the airfield - a girlfriend or something... Just a thought

Paul