Mosquito crash 4 Jan 45
 

Good morning all,

Mosquito LR557 of 51 OTU Cranfield, crashed at Wavendon Milton Keynes on 4 January 1945, killing both the crew. The pilot was Plt Off Thomas Shoolbread, but I would like to identify the navigator, and there is no accident record card in the RAF Museum.

Any ideas please?

Thanks and Happy Christmas

Steve

I worked for a company that owned Wavendon Tower, and spent a lot of time there. I'd be interested to know where the aeroplane crashed in relation to the Tower.

The area of the crash was approximately just to the south of the junction of the present day Groveway and Tongwell Street.

Ten days later a second Mosquito crashed where the new John Lewis distribution centre is now on what used to be called Fen Farm. A memorial was erected there three years ago.

Thanks Steve. One each side of Wavendon Tower, then!

Indeed, and there was a Beaufighter even closer!

I suggest you might try The Mosquito Page. The Forum there offers the best information the Mosquito and the members are extremely helpful.

The link is:

Phorum :: WWW.MOSSIE.ORG Discussion Forum

Regards,

DS

Many thanks DS, I will try that.

The Mossie forum has come up with the name of Sgt Charles Brown from Newhaven as the probable second pilot.

Thanks for the help.

Lest we forget - 66 years ago today.

Mosquito at Wavendon
 

At least one Merlin from this crash used to be in the Museum at Bletchley Park - not sure if it's still there. They had some photos too, taken when the wreckage was found during building work in MK

The BARG museum at Bletchley Park was closed down some years ago. I do not know what happened to all the exhibits, although I believe some went to Twinwoods who do have recovered parts from the second Mosquito crash.

Correction to the identity of the trainee pilot. It was Flg Off Ian Cameron from Glasgow.