Repos
31st Dec 2018, 09:04
I'm a newcomer here, not in the industry, just interested in various aspects of Aviation.
This incident came to my mind the other day whilst reading another thread,and I thought I look it up.
It gets a passing mention here a few years back but I feel the coverage is relatively low key all over. I wonder is that because there were more accidents and incidents back then or the fact that no one was killed?
Maybe it's just that today the subject of bombs and airscraft is more in peoples minds, but it all seems to have been taken in their stride at the time.
I suspect it was too long ago for anyone here to have any personal knowledge but one question came to my mind that I'm sure someone will know the answer to.
The aircraft was 30 miles south of Hastings over the English Channel, yet the reponse was 'back to base', at Northolt, rather than a nearby airport.
Was this the natural response of an RAF veteran, or was it the limitaion of communications/ATC at the time?
Whatever the reason, it seems a remarkable feat by Captain Ian Harvey DFC. who was awarded the George medal for his efforts.
Synopsis and links
"En route over the Channel, a explosion occurred in the rear of the plane, seriously injuring the flight attendant. The explosion caused an 8 feet high and 4 feet wide hole in the fuselage. Without rudder and most elevator control the captain, presuming a lightning strike, returned to Northolt where he made a safe landing. A French passenger was suspected of making a suicide attempt. The airplane, named "Vigilant" was repaired and entered service again on October 4, 1950."
Have a look at the Pathe News clip in the second one which shows the damage. There's a big hole in the fuselage, and Police are looking into it!
I can't post URLs yet but Google G-AIVL and you should get hits from:
aviation-safety.net/
airbornerambler wordpress.com
Daily telegrapgh obituary of Captain-Ian-Harvey.html
This incident came to my mind the other day whilst reading another thread,and I thought I look it up.
It gets a passing mention here a few years back but I feel the coverage is relatively low key all over. I wonder is that because there were more accidents and incidents back then or the fact that no one was killed?
Maybe it's just that today the subject of bombs and airscraft is more in peoples minds, but it all seems to have been taken in their stride at the time.
I suspect it was too long ago for anyone here to have any personal knowledge but one question came to my mind that I'm sure someone will know the answer to.
The aircraft was 30 miles south of Hastings over the English Channel, yet the reponse was 'back to base', at Northolt, rather than a nearby airport.
Was this the natural response of an RAF veteran, or was it the limitaion of communications/ATC at the time?
Whatever the reason, it seems a remarkable feat by Captain Ian Harvey DFC. who was awarded the George medal for his efforts.
Synopsis and links
"En route over the Channel, a explosion occurred in the rear of the plane, seriously injuring the flight attendant. The explosion caused an 8 feet high and 4 feet wide hole in the fuselage. Without rudder and most elevator control the captain, presuming a lightning strike, returned to Northolt where he made a safe landing. A French passenger was suspected of making a suicide attempt. The airplane, named "Vigilant" was repaired and entered service again on October 4, 1950."
Have a look at the Pathe News clip in the second one which shows the damage. There's a big hole in the fuselage, and Police are looking into it!
I can't post URLs yet but Google G-AIVL and you should get hits from:
aviation-safety.net/
airbornerambler wordpress.com
Daily telegrapgh obituary of Captain-Ian-Harvey.html