72 Sqn Vampire mid-air 1952

[tomdocherty72]

Can anyone help with information of the serial numbers of two Vampires of 72 Sqn which had a mid-air on 5 Apr 1952. Pilots were Plt Off Taylor and Sgt Dennis Mobberley.

[Kieron Kirk]

VV683 and WA366 Vampire FB.5s from 72 Squadron collided near North Weald during formation aerobatics on 12th July 1952. The Squadron re-equiped with Meteor F.8s during July 1952.

A Hastings from Lyneham crashed on landing at Negombo, Ceylon on 5th April 1952, but nothing about two Vampires from 72 Squadron on that day.

Ciarain.

[Vampiredave]

30 December 1951

VV539: struck by WA361 while formation flying and abandoned. Sgt D Mobberley

WA361: Struck VV539 and RTB. Pt Off Taylor

[tomdocherty72]

This collision on 12 July is not the one I am trying to confirm. This one involved Flt Lt Wyborn and Sgt Randall and both were killed.

[tomdocherty72]

Thanks Vampire Dave,

The two pilots are those involved however the date does not tally with the information I have. here is an extract from the book which relates the story:

Sydney Hyams was one of the pilots in the formation that day and recalls the crash:

“I can confirm from my log book on 5th April 1952 there was a Wing Formation which involved 72, 601 and 603 Squadrons. Wg Cdr Don Kingaby DFC led the formation over the North Sea, consisting of 32 or 33 Vampires Mk 5 fighters.


During our descent from 30,000ft, when approaching Maldon, the order “Dive brakes – Go” was given by the CO. Pilot officer Taylor, who was behind and beneath Sgt Dennis Mobberly, was a little slow in lowering his dive brake control lever with the result that he moved beneath the tail plane in front and his nose rose through the tail plane and caused a wing to collapse. All of this was a few yards away from me to my right, as I was formating on Sgt Mobberly, with Sgt Jimmy Stewart beneath and behind me.

Both Jimmy and I broke away to port and followed the stricken Vampire right to the point of impact in a ploughed field and flew low across another field to wave to Dennis, who appeared to have parachuted safely to earth. Dennis spent two days in Chelmsford hospital with a cut forehead, but was otherwise unhurt and resumed flying. Plt Off Taylor belly landed his Vampire at North Weald, was stripped of his wings and grounded.”


Can you provide me with the source of your information for the date or a fuller explanation of the incident in Dec 51. I think it may be the same incident and there is an error in dating somewhere.


Thanks


Tom

[Vampiredave]

All details taken from Accident Record Cards:

12 July 1952

VV683: mid-air collision with WA366 and crashed nr North Weald (OS Sheet "161 L480 046" My poor handwriting?) killing Flt Lt R G S Wyborn

WA366: while flying as No.2 in box formation of four aircraft carried ou final roll over North Weald at 2,000 feet; when inverted No.3 pulled clear of formation as he was overtaking leader, touched No.4 (VV683) at critical point in roll, having been distracted by No.3 breaking formation. Crashed at North Weald OS Sheet 161 "L487038" killing Sgt C V Randall.

[Fokkerwokker]

Would that be the same Dennis Mobberly who went on to become a CAA Training Inspector I wonder?

[tomdocherty72]

Thanks Vampiredave,

Useful information about the Wyborn incident, however it still does not clear up my other incident involving Mobberley and Taylor.

Tom

[tomdocherty72]

Some new information has come to light which confirms the date and the aircraft involved. The information in my book 'Swift to Battle. Vol 3' is in error. (Very annoyed about my mistake!). Here is what should have been in it:

30 December 1951

VV539: struck by WA361 while formation flying and abandoned. Sgt D Mobberley

WA361: Struck VV539 and RTB. Pt Off Taylor

And from one of the witnesses, Sgt Pilot Sydney Hyams:

Thank you for the question re Sgt. Pilot Mobberley’s collision.

I have consulted my log book and can confirm that on Sunday 30th December 1951 that a wing exercise as you describe did take place. My aircraft was WA424 and Sgt. Dennis Mobberley’s No.2 was a Pilot Officer Norman in WA361.

WA539 flown by Dennis was a write off.

Sorry for any confusion caused and many thanks to all who helped to clear this up.

Tom

[wyborn52]

Looking for information on last flight of my father Ft Lt R.G. S. Wyborn on 12th July 1952. Also is there anyone who remembers him.

[aw ditor]

Fokkerwokker.


Yes!

A.D.