McDuff,
But essentially true as to the high level of aircraft attrition and casualties. However, the devil is in the detail.
The actual totals were:
1950 - 380 aircraft/238 fatals
1951 - 490 aircraft/280 fatal casualties
1952 - 507 aircraft/318 fatal casualties
1953 - 483 aircraft/333 fatal casualties
1954 - 452 aircraft/283 fatal causalties
It 'improved' after that - only 305/182 in 1955!!!
Old Duffer