Originally Posted by
Geriaviator
Yes indeed Harry, what was the York like to fly, did it bear resemblance to its much-loved military sister the Lancaster? Did you like it? It does seem to figure quite often in accident reports … I saw one at Bombay on our way home in 1947 and another flew over Binbrook about 1950 but neither myself nor father ever was close to one.
I have asked in this matchless thread for memories of icing, one brush was enough for me and I know that many WW2 aircraft were lost because of it, but we would all welcome memories of post-war aviation when experienced crews still battled with limited equipment and the same old weather.
Further to the discussion on instrument panels, Capt. A A Fresson's book Air Road to the Isles recalls operating DH89 Rapides on the Scottish island services, with no artificial horizon or DI on some aircraft. He did have ADF radio compass and an early radio altimeter – the radio had a 200ft aerial which was wound in for landing except in bad weather. The radio op would keep one hand on the cable and tell the pilot when he felt it brush the surface. As the aerial had a 7lb lead weight on the end wise groundlubbers stayed inside during the procedure.
Geriaviator - You're right - they did seem to be accident prone. In the mid-50s as a child I flew from London to Tehran on a Persian Air Services York ("Dog Easy" - EP-ADE).
I don't know how many PAS started with, but they managed to write 3 off (including Dog Easy).