I saw this crash. I was on guard duty near 37 Sqn dispersal at about 4 am that day. The two Invaders took off in line astern and just after the rear one was airborne, the No 1 engine started backfiring and obviously losing power. The crew pulled up the gear but it was too late, the Invader sank onto the runway and careered all the way down towards the causeway. I saw two crew members get out the top escape hatch and run like hell just as the whole plane burst into flames. The other Invader did one circuit and went on its way to the Congo.
Originally Posted by
JW411
And here is the man himself examing the B-26 which landed at Khormaksar with a faulty undercarriage on its way to the Congo. It resided on the fire pit on the north side of the airfield by the bomb dump.