Whirlwind P7062/HE-L

[Chris Goss]

As I do not have the books to hand, can anyone tell me the eventual fate of this aircraft?

[paulmcmillan]

Serial
Units and Codes
Notes
Fate

P7062
39 MU
137 Sqn
18 MU
263 Sqn (HE-L)
To 39 MU 28.6.41.To 137Squadron 20.9.41. Damaged Cat B and returned to works 7.1.42. To 18 MU 11.7.42. To 263 Squadron 18.7.42.
Hit tree and crashed during practice attack during Army exercises on the Wroughton-Swindon Road and spun into ground near Wroughton19.2.43; F/Sgt Francis Leslie Hicks RAAF, (408207) aged 30 killed. Pilot is buried at Wroughton (SS. John the Baptist and Helen) Churchyard, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

[Chris Goss]

Thanks for this. I have an original copy of Charles Brown's photo of this ac in flight so it is nice to have a fate. Unfortunately although I have a mention of Hicks, I do not have a photo of him

[Chris Goss]

Paul: If your list is to hand, what about P6971 and P6981 both of which I have photos? I also have a photo of a burnt out Whirlwind at dispersal (no details), a series showing P6976 after its crash-landing near Bridgewater 15 Feb 41 (HE-X) and an upside down P7112 on 1 Apr 42

[paulmcmillan]

Chris
re: Paul: If your list is to hand, what about P6971 and P6981 both of which I have photos? I also have a photo of a burnt out
Whirlwind at dispersal (no details), a series showing P6976
after its crash-landing near Bridgewater 15 Feb 41 (HE-X) and an upside down P7112 on 1 Apr 42
See below, thanks for the info, I think I have an identity for your burnt-out Whirlwind as P7038, also your info has included a
new code P6976 for me and confirmed a previously disputed date for P7112
P6971
263 Sqn
Westland
18 MU
137 Sqn
263 Sqn

To 263 Squadron 31.8.40. To works for repair 25.10.41. To 18 Maintenance Unit (MU) 12.4.42. To 137 Squadron 4.9.42. To 263 Squadron 27.12.42. Six repairs at Civilian Repair Organisation (CRO) during life. Damaged Cat E and scrapped/SOC 14.7.44.

P6981
263 Sqn
Westland
263 Sqn
Westland
263 Sqn
137 Sqn
Westland
137 Sqn
51 MU
263 Sqn
To 263 Squadron 7.12.40. Returned to works twice for repair in 1941. To 137 Squadron 16.2.42. Returned to works once during period with 137 Squadron, then to 51 MU 4.5.42. To 263 Squadron 8.4.43. Damaged on morning Roadstead sortie (Cat B) 28.4.43 when flown by P/O M T Cotton RAAF. Pilot OK and aircraft repaired. Crash-landed (blown aside by gust on landing) at Warmwell l.8.43, set on fire. Cat E. DBR

P6976
263 Sqn (HE-X)
Westland
18 MU
137 Sqn
Westland
137 Sqn
Westland
137 Sqn
To 263 Squadron 7.11.40 (HE-X). Crash-landing near Bridgewater 15.2.41. Returned to Westland for repair 15.2.41. To 18 MU 18.8.41. To 137 Squadron 20.2.42. Returned to works twice more for repair, also one Repair On Site (ROS). Wing hit ground on landing, Manston, 1.5.43; Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR)

From Chris Goss via TOCH 30-01-07
“I have a series of photos showing P6976 after its crash-landing near Bridgewater 15 Feb 41 (HE-X)”

P7112
39 MU
263 Sqn
Westland
263 Sqn To 39 MU 26.9.41. To 263 Squadron 15.10.41. To works for repair 25.11.41. Returned to 263 Squadron 21.12.41. Cat AC ROS 12.2.42 (probably damaged during operations during Channel Dash)
“Originally Posted by Letter 16th February 1942
RAF Angle, South Wales
Why the job is not going so well is that the Squadron has had two crashes on the aerodrome in two days and they reflect on the Squadron Leader. Nothing had, but the aircraft have been damaged beyond repair! I don’t know what one does about it either. I feel a spot blue about leaving 137 Squadron just before their unfortunate encounter with the Hun (Channel Dash).”
I seem to recall that P7112 had some sort of incident requiring contractors repair at around this time.
Flypast Forum 17th March 2006

A) Swung on landing at Fairwood Common, bounced and turned over 1.4.42. Cat E damage; Pilot escaped.
Or below (date unlikely)
B) Blown over by gust on landing and wing hit ground; over- turned, Fairwood Common, 14.3.42 (date unlikely)
Chris Goss via TOCH on 30.01.07
“I have an upside down P7112 on 1.4.42”
Note: I now I believe the top reference (A) is the 100% correct one

P7038
39 MU
51 MU
137 Sqn
263 Sqn

To 39 MU 28.4.41.To 51 MU 4.9.41. To 137 Squadron 26.9.41. To 263 Squadron 1.12.41. Caught fire on ground, Charmy Down, 3.1.42; DBR and Scrapped
Chris Goss via TOCH on 30.01.07
“I also have a photo of a burnt out Whirlwind at dispersal (no details)”

BTW My Sources:
• James J. Halley: Royal Air Force Serials L1000-N9999. 1993 Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd, Kent, ISBN 0-85130-208-4
• James J. Halley: Royal Air Force Serials P1000-R9999. 1996 Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd, Kent, ISBN: 0-85130-064-2
• Victor F Bingham: Whirlwind - The Westland Whirlwind Fighter: 1987, Airlife Publishing Ltd, Shewsbury, ISBN 1-85310-004-8
• Norman L R Franks: RAF Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War Volume 1 (1939-1941). 1997 Midland Publishing Limited, Leicester, ISBN 1-85780-055-9
• Norman Franks: RAF Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War Volume 2 (1942-1943). 1998 Midland Publishing Limited, Leicester, ISBN 1-85780-075-3
• Norman Franks: RAF Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War Volume 3 (1944-1945). 2000 Midland Publishing Limited, Leicester, ISBN 1-85780-093-1
• Kenneth Wynn: Men of the Battle of Britain (60th Anniversary Edition), 2nd Edition, 1999 CCB Associates, Surrey, ISBN: 190207-410-6
• Winston G Ramsey (Editor). Battle of Britain Then and Now Mark V, 1997 After The Battle, London, ISBN 0-900913-46-0
• John Foreman: Fighter Command War Diaries Volume 2 (September 1940 to December 1941). 1998 Air Research Publications, Surrey, ISBN 1-87118-735-4
• John Foreman: Fighter Command War Diaries Volume 3 (January 1942 to June 1943). 2000 Air Research Publications, Surrey, ISBN: 1-87118-739-7
• Les Allison and Harry Hayward: They Shall Grow Not Old, 1991 Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) web site: http://www.cwgc.org.uk
• Bruce Robertson: Westland Whirlwind Described 2nd Impression, 1966 Kookabura Technical Publications, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Paul-very comprehensive and helpful

[brewerjerry]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Unfortunately although I have a mention of Hicks, I do not have a photo of him

Hi Chris
I am on a rare visit to the board , sending you a pm.
cheers
jerry