Finding out about a Dambuster.

[lexxity]

First time posting up here, so be gentle please.

Over the Weekend I met a man who's Uncle was one of the Dambusters. I'm sure he said the name was David Wilson and he died after the War (?) in a Lancaster crash at Woodford.

I've read a lot about the Dambusters, but it's not a name I recognise and I was interested in knowing more about this man.

Thanks. :ok:

[Brian Dixon]

The only Wilson I can find was a Harold Sidney Wilson, who trained for the raid but did not fly on it due to illness.

Have a look at the following links to see if the information fits what you have:
Dambusters (http://www.dambusters.org.uk/crews.htm) (see link at the bottom of the page)

http://www.dambusters.org.uk/docs/illness.pdf

It looks like Harold was lost on 15/16 Sep 1943 (66 years ago tonight)
Lost Bombers - World War II Lost Bombers (http://www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=10719)

Hope this is your chap and hope the information helps.

Regards,
Brian

[Archimedes]

I think this is David Wilson, rather than a mis-hearing of the name.

David Wilson joined 617 in August 1943 - so was a member of the Dambusters but not an actual Dambuster if that makes sense - and as far as I can ascertain from the sources here at home, had completed his tour by mid-June 1944.

He subsequently joined Avro as a test pilot, and Harry Holmes (Lancaster guru extraordinare) says that he died in the crash of the Avro Tudor II prototype at Woodford in 1947 along with Roy Chadwick and Bill Thorn (Avro CTP).

So I am guessing that this is the chap.

Edited to add the following links:

Flight International 28 Aug 1947 (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%201446.html)
and

Appreciation of those lost from Avro Ltd, same edition of Flight (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%201445.html)

[lexxity]

That's the Chap, Archimedes. Thanks. :ok:

[Madbob]

Lexxity,

Further details for you......

DATE: August 23, 1947
TAKE-OFF POINT: Woodford, Lancs
CRASH LOCATION: Woodford, Lancs
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro Tudor Mk 2 G-AGSU
CREW FATALITIES: S.A. Thorn, Avro CTP; Roy Chadwick, Avro chief designer; D. Wilson, Avro chief of flight test; J. Webster, radio operator
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Accident due to incorrect reassembly of aileron circuit after work on wing control surfaces


Very sad cause....RIP to all.

MB

[Brian Dixon]

Archimedes :ok::D

RIP the crew.