Eric Martin DFC. 3 FTS Feltwell.1952

[motherbird]

Hi Guys


Any of you know Eric Martin DFC who was killed in a Harvard T2b while teaching at 3 FTS Feltwell. 15 August 1952 He collided with another Harvard during formation aerobatics?
Any info would be great

Motherbird

[henry crun]

I didn't know Eric Martin, but my instructor was one of the other aircraft involved.

I flew as pax with my instructor on one of the earlier practises, and when I asked to go again he refused saying something about lack of insurance cover.

[motherbird]

"my instructor was one of the other aircraft involved"

Hi Henry
Have you a record of his name?
Also I have read somewhere that he was killed during a Battle of Britain display. Is this possible?
If so it seems a bit ironic that he was killed after he had survived 4 years of flying in the war (He'd joined 16 Squadron in 1942 and had a DFC)

Cheers Motherbird.

[henry crun]

motherbird, check your PM.

[ANTONY MARTIN]

HENRY .
Eric Martin was my father. If iI can be of help to you in any way please contact me
I have logbooks, photos etc from my father from throughout the war.
Yours Sincerely.
Antony Martin

[newt]

I think my Dad was there at the time. Will ask him when I see him next week!:ok:

[Warmtoast]

As reported in The Times - 18th August 1952.

CRASH DURING AEROBATIC PRACTICE
INQUEST ON FLYING INSTRUCTOR
A verdict-of Accidental Death was returned at an inquest at Feltwell, Norfolk, on Saturday on Flight Lieutenant Eric Martin, aged 31, a flying instructor of No. 3 Flying Training School, R.A.F., Felt well, who was killed when his aircraft dived into an airfield on Friday after a collision with another aircraft.
Flight Lieutenant Edwin Warren Adams said, he was leading a formation acrobatic team of three Harvard aircraft practising for a Battle of Britain display in September. On completing the practice he led the formation in for a break-up and on approaching the airfield gave orders for this by radio telephone. He carried out a slow roll after turning through 30deg. and on looking round for the rest of his formation saw some wreckage on the airfield. “I cannot see any logical reason why it should have happened, he said. “As far as we were concerned every eventuality had been covered.”
Flight Lieutenant Erazn Wardzinski, aged 32, said that Adams and Martin were flying in echelon formation to port, Adams in front, Martin behind and to the left, and he (witness) behind and to the left again. “Just before I reached a level position I felt an impact and my aircraft dropped a wing to the right,” he said. “I lost control for a moment, then thought of baling out, but on regaining control I found the aircraft responded “ Wardzinski said he swerved to the right and on looking down saw an aircraft going down vertically with no tail unit attached. He was able to land his damaged aircraft.
Flight Lieutenant William George Wallace, the air traffic controller, who watched the aircraft, said that in his opinion the cause of the accident was Martin’s failure to carry out a 15deg. turn to the right that he (witness) had heard ordered by the leader.

[ANTONY MARTIN]

Hi .
Thank you all for your reply's.
Any info on my father Eric Martin would be of great interest to me.
I also have one of his log books and photos of my Dad and his friends/pilots /party's and also planes from the time he was in Moncton Canada training until his death in 1952 in Feltwell...
The only info I have on him came from my mother as I was too young to remember him.. after the war he was stationed in Celle Germany where he met mom and married her..
Also a lot of photos of the wedding which also had a lot of RAF personnel of many country's
Cheers .
Antony Martin
P.s. I will try and copy some photos and download them on to this site.
My computer skills are lacking so bear with me.