Hurricane Minor Crash at Duxford

[Gainesy]

PaulB,
Can you give any idea of the extent of damage to the aircraft please?

[AlanM]

Here she is

[TEEEJ]

I watched the Hurricane do a fly past then break for landing. There was a slight bounce on landing and then the starboard undercarriage partially collapsed. The aircraft then veered off to the right towards the fence-line and straight towards me! As it got closer I was doing the old two-step dance left and right as it staggered in my direction. The pilot was obviously very aware that he was heading towards the fence-line and it appeared that he was using the brakes to tip the nose down to prevent it leaving the grass. Finally the props dug into the grass and the aircraft came to a halt. The pilot was out and on the wing as the first of the Duxford staff arrived to provide assistance. In my opinion it was a fine piece of airmanship by the pilot to bring it to a halt before it left the grass.

TJ

[Ali Barber]

Many moons ago I was privileged to be one of the Lanc co-pilots at Coningsby. There was only one other flying Lanc in the world then, operating in Canada, although it was subsequently severely damaged in a hangar fire and I don't know if it was restored. The Canadian one was operated on a commercial basis, although whether it was for profit or non-profit I don't know. However, the inside of the aircraft looked more like a modern airliner than a WW2 bomber. It had to have all the modern nav equipment to enable it to fly airways, make IFR approaches, etc, because it needed to get to the airshow in order to be paid. The BBMF Lanc is original inside (but it has been known for the crew to carry a hand held GPS). Whenever we landed, there was always a group of veterans that we showed around the outside and inside the aircraft. I think they would have been disappointed if it was decked out like the Canadian one. Therre is no financial pressure on the BBMF to ensure they make it to any airshow, if the weather or other reasons indicate that cancellation would be a better option, then cancel it they will, but that is to ensure the safety of the aircraft and not to say they can't be bothered. On the contrary, the guys in the hangar would always work especially hard to get the aircraft ready because it is a PRIVILEGE to work on them or fly them. I can also remember talk about a re-spar programme for the Lanc that would give it another 70 years of life! That is the level of committment to the BBMF.

Regarding the future of BBMF, I can remember my painful days in MOD. Every year there would be the round of "Alternative Assumptions", such as "what would be the effect of shutting Coltishall and getting rid of the Jags?" The bean counters came up with the cost saving and you came up with the reason why they were talking out of their rear end. In the end, the AAs are put in order, a line is drawn somewhere and all those below the line are taken and those above survive until next years battle of the AAs. From what I can recall, it was generally accepted that the line was always drawn just under "disband the Red Arrows". I can also recall that "disband/privatise the BBMF" was above the Reds, so don't get worried until the Reds shut down.

[Man-on-the-fence]

Ali

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Lanc wasnt as badly damaged as you were led to believe. It was flying again shortly afterwards(relatively speaking). In the same fire they lost a Hurricane and a TBM Avenger amongst others.

The CWH is a commercial museum that doesnt receive any Government funding. That the Lanc flies at all is a testament to the determination and tenacity of the CWH volunteers. A Lancaster, flying in any continent and with any Nav Kit is a lasting tribute to the bravery of the crews that flew them. Long may it be so.

[allan907]

Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang - with up to four Merlins and their distinctive sound and the sight of aircraft airborne does it really matter what is inside? However, full marks to the BBMF and the political paymasters for keeping the aircraft in such top condition.

I had the very rare privilege of flying in PA 474 on one of the practice flights just before the RAF 75th at Marham. Started the flight in the m/u turret, then to the nav/cockpit area and finally into the nose bomb aimers station for approach and landing (Crew forgot I was there!). What a fabulous experience and a heck of a way to celebrate leaving the RAF after 30 years.

[The Swinging Monkey]

PrOOne,

Now I know your comments are too stupid to respond to.

Paulb, I don't think anyone is suggesting what you say, that being, to land, screech to a halt, jump out, fit locks and then taxi back - come on, who has ever suggested that?

If your comments are correct about the pilot not knowing then there is no question to be asked or otherwise is there?

But if, as more than one person has now said, he DID know, then the question and prudence of u/c locks is most valid. Of course, if, as you say there are NO locks, then that raises a whole new question.

Anyway, please work as fast as you and your colleagues possible can, and get her back into the air 'Pronto Tonto'. After the pathetic lack of flying at Cosford this weekend, we need all the aircraft we can get!!

Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey

[Reichman]

soddim and Swinging Monkey,

Apologies for the delay in replying, but I was out at the weekend displaying a civilian owned and operated ex military fighter - which is ex RAF, but sadly the RAF don't have the money to keep one flying.

As I said in a previous post I AM NOT ANTI BBMF. But as we all know it's the acountants who run things and when it comes to cost saving it really is a matter of priorities. Do the majority of the crowd at an airshow give a monkeys who owns the Spitfire that is performing in front of them? I think not.

Reichman

[noisy]

The Swinging Monkey,

As paulb says, the hurry has no undercarriage locks. U/c locks are definetely fitted to the Tempest II at Hendon, so this may be a late war innovation in the light of, er....experience.

If anyone is interested the Hurricane II Manual is available from the RAF Museum for twenty quid.

ISBN No. 185367544X



Warning: This product carries a five nerd rating

[soddim]

Reichman,

Good for you - long may private owners and volunteers find the time and money to display these wonderful machines to a grateful public. Since I am past the best of my flying years I was playing golf instead but I still enjoy the sound of merlins or a big radial over the course.

Since the public purse will not extend to keep more than a few historic machines in the air we must be grateful to the private sector but let's not support the idea that money should be saved by putting our most precious WW2 jewels in that sector too. The BBMF 'Last of the Many' Hurri and the Spits Mk2 & 5 are far more valuable than most historics and the people of Lincolnshire to name but a few million would be mortified if their Lancaster left their county.

Enjoy your season.

[BEagle]

Please tell me it wasn't the infamous 'H-gate' syndrome.....