Venom/Landrover at RAF Tengah
 

I have several sepia photographs taken by my father at Tengah in the mid '50s,of a Landrover,which has been neatly cut-off at bottom of windscreen level.My dad was an MT driver,and the story told to me,is that 2 airmen had been sent out in the LR to collect goose-neck flares,when a Venom landed,reduced the height of the LR and decapitated the 2 airmen inside.Dad was sent out to recover the vehicle,and I wonder if anyone out there has memories of this incident,or any further information ?

The Venom (FB.1 WE399 of 60 Squadron) was taking off from Tengah on 23rd April 1957 when the wing and tip tank impacted the Land Rover on the runway, killing both occupants, an SAC and a Junior Tech. The aircraft swung off the runway and was written off as a result of the incident.

I'm wondering why the pilot didn't see the vehicle, although it may have moved into the path of the aircraft at a very late stage.

As this happened at night in 1957 I wonder if the RAF Land Rover was fitted with any form of obstruction lighting (amber beacon?).

Thanks Dave for your reply with all the details.And also to nonsense.