RAF Aircraft Shot Down Over East Germany 1953
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Hughie green
It's interesting to hear about Hughie Green, as my only memories of him are his catch phrase, and the fact that he donated a Husky aircraft to the Air Training Corps, which I flew in (as an AEF) from Duxford as a cadet.
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C- CHARLIE
Having completed my air gunnery course on the date of the incident , I was invited by your father who was O/c in charge of that course, to join the flight . The reason I was stood down was because I had incompatible oxygen equipment to that of a Lincoln bomber . I have researched in depth the incident at the National Archives in Kew , relating to both the shooting down of the aircraft and the ultimate payment of compensation to the dependants , which by current standards was minimal .Two questions still remain unanswered: did the Mig fire at those members of the crew who did manage to bail out and secondly , as both aircraft violated Russian air space , was any hint of "proposed violation " indicated at the briefing .Only crew members of the aircraft H-Howe could answer this latter query .
Having completed my air gunnery course on the date of the incident , I was invited by your father who was O/c in charge of that course, to join the flight . The reason I was stood down was because I had incompatible oxygen equipment to that of a Lincoln bomber . I have researched in depth the incident at the National Archives in Kew , relating to both the shooting down of the aircraft and the ultimate payment of compensation to the dependants , which by current standards was minimal .Two questions still remain unanswered: did the Mig fire at those members of the crew who did manage to bail out and secondly , as both aircraft violated Russian air space , was any hint of "proposed violation " indicated at the briefing .Only crew members of the aircraft H-Howe could answer this latter query .
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Rob,
We had the privilege of meeting a surviving member of H-Howe's crew yesterday on 55(R) Sqn. He was quite clear that the Met brief that day had misled the crew and contributed to the overflight. Also mentioned the action of the MiGs v's the first aircraft.
CS
We had the privilege of meeting a surviving member of H-Howe's crew yesterday on 55(R) Sqn. He was quite clear that the Met brief that day had misled the crew and contributed to the overflight. Also mentioned the action of the MiGs v's the first aircraft.
CS
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lincoln rf531
My cousin was FS P J Dunnell and have tried to get more information to this,spyflight website being the best so far .A few years ago a friend who worked for a daily newspaper set me some of the news articles that apeared at the time. These were quite detailed but very little seems to have been added to its history.The Soviets at that time
were very much on edge,Stalin had just died.
With reference to spyflight/op ju jitsu, that would havemade them very much on the alert. As an 11 year old at the time I was very upset,I idolised my cousin Peter.
If you would like a copy of the newspaper articles please mail me your address
were very much on edge,Stalin had just died.
With reference to spyflight/op ju jitsu, that would havemade them very much on the alert. As an 11 year old at the time I was very upset,I idolised my cousin Peter.
If you would like a copy of the newspaper articles please mail me your address
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I don't remember the rest of the crew, but the Herc that was hit ended up at Gatow with a considerable fuel leak (from No1 tank I think).
The FE was Cliff Foggo and after shutdown, he was attempting to transfer fuel out of the tank as it was 'p*ssing out' - his words. I believe it was thought to be a single 7.62mm small arms round which manage to split some of the structural members in the base of the tank.
I remember flying the corridor on Dominies too and at the Int brief, there was an instruction to ignore some of the Nav Aids (based in E Germany) - I think Bruckendorf was one such, as the Soviets were meakoning.
Ah, those were the days . . . peace.
The FE was Cliff Foggo and after shutdown, he was attempting to transfer fuel out of the tank as it was 'p*ssing out' - his words. I believe it was thought to be a single 7.62mm small arms round which manage to split some of the structural members in the base of the tank.
I remember flying the corridor on Dominies too and at the Int brief, there was an instruction to ignore some of the Nav Aids (based in E Germany) - I think Bruckendorf was one such, as the Soviets were meakoning.
Ah, those were the days . . . peace.
Last edited by Dengue_Dude; 7th Feb 2010 at 13:47. Reason: Accuracy and recollection
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As a young engineering student I flew in the ex Hughie Greene Cessna 310 - due to the effects of trying to evade the soviet fighters the airframe was somewhat distorted and it did not want to fly straight. The small baggage door on the right side was also prone to coming open in flight.I think he was wise to get rid of it. I met him some years later when he had a push pull Cessna - he did not appear to be a very happy man.
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Rf531 Lincoln Bomber
My fathers step-uncle was the Flight Engineer on this plane. His name-"Bill Mason". A very experienced crew member. The information my father told me just adds to the facination, as some of it may be rumour? It goes that Bill was one of the crew who baled out of RF531 & landed in the Russian Zone & they later released his body to be repatriated for burial. I have always been facinated by the wartime photo of him & his crew just returned from a raid. He flew as a Flight Engineer in Lancasters with 106 Squadron (Metheringham) & completed at least one tour! Flying half a dozen operations in a "Centurian" Lancaster-"King Of The Air". His wartime pilot Dougie Gibbs (who apparently moved to Australia), other crew -Dougie Cramp, R. Appleyard, H. Stubbs, J.E. Charock, R.F. Birch -- Are any of these guys still around?
Like alot of men after the war Bill could not settle into "Civvy Street" & Re-inlisted, back as Aircrew. His luck finally left him & to this terrible end for a brave man-along with his comrades-who survived the war, on Lancasters, only to be shot down & killed by the Russians.
Like alot of men after the war Bill could not settle into "Civvy Street" & Re-inlisted, back as Aircrew. His luck finally left him & to this terrible end for a brave man-along with his comrades-who survived the war, on Lancasters, only to be shot down & killed by the Russians.
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Hello, I'm a journalist from Germany looking for information about a Cold War incident over East Germany on March 12, 1953. Then a RAF Avro Lincoln (RF 531) was shot down by Soviet MiG fighters near Boizenburg, killing most of the British crew and triggering a severe diplomatic crisis between London and Moscow.
Is there anyone who can give further information about that incident?
Thanks beforehand!
Is there anyone who can give further information about that incident?
Thanks beforehand!
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Whilst on a drift re the US Navy page,the AD Skyraiders from the Carrier Randolph near the Czech border is an odd one. The AJ Savages from the Mediterranean area did exercise overland a bit , too, other than at Blackbushe
US Navy and Hatwing I
and
Hatwing I: the US Navy's role in strategic bombing
US Navy and Hatwing I
and
Hatwing I: the US Navy's role in strategic bombing
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RF531
Hi, Would like to make contact I born in Colton, Norfolk,1945, Roger Dunnell, in 1950 I was adopted now Roger Bean, my late father was Jack Dunnell,[Peter was his first cousin] I now live in Norfolk,and visit the graveyard at Colton where Peter is buried.
Roger Bean neeDunnell
Roger Bean neeDunnell
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Hoodie-
When I was an engineering student at Perth I managed to scrounge a flight in the ex Hughie Greene Cessna 310 on an Army co-op flight acting as a target for a TA anti aircraft unit with Bofors guns. I think they were on Benbecula and it gave me one of the most entertaining days flying I have ever had. The pilot was ex FAA Sea Furies and it showed! He complained that the aircraft was warped due to Hughies efforts to evade the Migs and it would not fly straight - the luggage door behind the seats persisted in coming open so I believed him but the G loads he put on the thing certainly did not help to straighten it! Thanks for reminding me about the incident as it brought back the memory.
When I was an engineering student at Perth I managed to scrounge a flight in the ex Hughie Greene Cessna 310 on an Army co-op flight acting as a target for a TA anti aircraft unit with Bofors guns. I think they were on Benbecula and it gave me one of the most entertaining days flying I have ever had. The pilot was ex FAA Sea Furies and it showed! He complained that the aircraft was warped due to Hughies efforts to evade the Migs and it would not fly straight - the luggage door behind the seats persisted in coming open so I believed him but the G loads he put on the thing certainly did not help to straighten it! Thanks for reminding me about the incident as it brought back the memory.
