Keith Sturt - Vulcan accident Syerston 1958
 

Dear all,

My name is Catherine Coulthard and I am looking for any further information regarding Keith Sturt who piloted the Vulcan that fatefully crashed on 20th Sept 1958 at Syerston. He was married to my Grandmother Norah. They never had children and throughout the rest of her days she never liked to talk about what happened in 1958 - she saw the accident happen as she was there. I wanted to know if anyone here knew Keith, whether he has family still alive today? She was originally married to my late Grandfather AVM Colin Coulthard but that marriage dissolved in 1957. I would like to know where I can obtain the video footage of the accident. Any further information would be greatly appreciated.

All the best,

Catherine

I would suggest that any information should be via PM to Catherine.

As we had this thread recently it would serve little purpose to start it over again but clearly if we can help I think we must do so.

PPP

Catherine, please see your PMs.

Thank you!
 

I'm so very touched at already receiving some invaluable information - thank you - please keep the messages coming in! I would also be grateful for any information regarding my late Grandfather AVM Colin Coulthard who gave a good few years of his career to the RAF in all manner of exploits from Spitfire pilot in Malta to Air Attache in Washington. I am currently compiling a family biography and have already exhausted all routes of enquiry within the family.

Many thanks to all.

Catherine

I've PM'd Catherine, with some info inc the the results of a google search on: "colin coulthard" raf

Undoubtedly an interesting man.

sw

VX770
 

Catherine
If you want to know the story of the last flight of first prototype Vulcan VX770, which came apart at Syerstion on 20 September 1958, I covered it with photos from the cine film in 'Crash', Ian Allan 1991, pp.51-54. I don't know if Keith was the Rolls-Royce or Fairey test pilot on board, but whoever was flying seems to have pulled 2-3 'g' while clocking up 410-420kts, and the airframe didn't stand a chance. Sorry about that.

vulcan crash photo
 

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=146873

This link should take you to a photo of the inflight break up. Tragic.

Sharmine

Eyewitness
 

I still have a vivid memory of the Vulcan crash - I lived near Hucknall (Rolls Royce test centre) where the aircraft was based and had cycled to Syerston to see the air display. A neighbour who worked at the plant described that the aircraft had recently needed the upper wing skin re-rivetting due to flight stresses...
My condolences to the families of crew and ground staff in the ACR7 hut who tragically lost their lives that day.

Catherine,
I may have access to the video - I will check when next able and advise, unless you confirm you have been able to get a copy.
Rgds
YakB

Flatiron

I once flew a Vulcan Mk1 to the corner of the flight test envelope which was 415Kts, 0.98 IMN and 3.0g with weapon bay door open. Elevators were close to max in a spiral dive aiming to have 415Kts coincide with 0.98IMN. Lost control with nose down pitch and full up elevators. Recovered control in denser air following power off and speed brakes following a supersonic excursion.

Subsequently learned that ribs in the nose cone were the weakest part of the airframe under high Q (IAS) which explained a pop open of the oxygen filler access during the above. Rear bulkhead of the weapon bay was deformed. We must have been a smidgen away from the same fate as VX770.

VX770 could be expected to go out to around 415 Kts without a problem except for possible inadequate quality of the reskinning of portion of a wing. Also there may have been a restricted performance envelope on VX770.

I heartell that VX770 exceeded 415Kts by a substantial margin.

Overpowering
 

Milt
As a Rolls-Royce test bed for the bypass engines that would eventually power the Victor B2 and VC10, VX770 was flying with Conway 11s rated at 17,500lb thrust. As you say, it probably exceeded 415kts by a goodly margin. Ironically, the airframe broke up at the very point on the wing leading edge which Avro tests in 1950 had shown to be the weakest party of the structure. You were lucky.

Eyewitness
 

I , too , was a spectator to this tragic accident having been taken to the show at the age of 11 by my parents from nearby Newark.

Not surprisingly ,it is still vivid in my mind today.

Tantalite
 

I was also present at that display, ironically the first song I heard afterwards was Volare!
I was with my parents and a school friend who later went on to be a Victor Tanker driver and get a DFC for Black Buck.
The crash was horrendous, I was only 8 and remember it vividly, I was not aware of the speeds involved until reading this site, was also not aware this was a prototype. I knew it had Rolls Royce tech on and that it hit a red & white at the runway end. I think the death toll was 13?
I later served on Vulcans for 5 years in the RAF.
My sympathies to the relatives of the deceased.

Eyewitness
 

I was 6 at the time think it was a Battle of Britain display all I remember was the Vulcan bomber flying low along the airfield then just opposite from my position a bit of wing broke off and the aircraft cashed beyond the end of the runway.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_kcQcREbOE68/...erstonprog.jpg
more info on crash on this forum.....
http://www.avrovulcan.org.uk/cgi-bin...ct=ST;f=4;t=13


John

Crash report
 

Crash report National Archives at Kew file is BT 233/403

http://www.john-dillon.co.uk/V-Force/vx770.html

I was a 9 year old living in married quarters and saw the accident from our house. My Mother also drove the NAAFI wagon that went round the camp and I recall riding with her to the crash site to provide tea and sandwiches to the crash recovery team who pointed out that the largest bit of the aircraft left on the airfield was the tailcone and that two of the engines were somehere in a farmers field. Also our next door neighbour was one of those killed on the ground and the injured survivor was a fireman, who who bravely tried to warn those in the caravan before running away himself. In all it was dreadful accident which might have been much worse if the aircraft had rolled towards rather than away from the crowd line.

Please keep the responses coming
 

I am so pleased at the incredible response that I have had since first writing this thread. I've managed to speak to Tony Blackman author of 'Vulcan Test Pilot' and who knew my Step Grandfather Keith Sturt very well. I am trying to find out more regarding the cause of the accident as my Grandmother had argued the fact that the VX770 in question required urgent maintenance due to stress damage and that this was not due to pilot error. I am still desperately on the search for the 17second clip of amateur film that was taken on the day.

Also on the softer side I am also trying to find friends/ family of Keith...anyone who may have known him, his origins, what sort of a chap he was and where he is now buried?

Many thanks once again.

Catherine

Crew of Vulcan/Syerston
 

One of the Pilots was Mr R W Ford (John) seconded from Fairey Aviation Company at Ringway (M/C) - a Test pilot there w.e.f. April 1954. He was seconded to Rolls Royce to assist with development flying on the Conway powered Vulcan in August 1958 following a period with Avions Fairey at Gosselies, Belgium.

He had previously served in the RAF from 1941 - aged 19, and became a Test pilot with an RAF MU. Joined Fighter Command in Sept 1951 and left the RAF in 1953. He had flown nearly 2500hrs on 35 different types

Info
 

Read your PM, will send E Mail

Vulcan
 

Hi Catherine,
I cannot provide any information on the pilot of the vulcan, but I was in the ATC band that was marching on the runway at the time of the accident. The a/c came over our heads at a low altitude and there was an explosion, bits fell from the a/c onto the runway just missing us. The tail chute operated and it fell in a gentle arc onto, so I am told, a fire tender racing to intercept it, killing 3 or 4 people in the tender. The ATC cadets were subsequently asked to assist in collecting the a/c debris from off the runway. The vulcan was apparantly being used a a test bed for a new rolls royce engine. I believe the plane suffered structural fatigue and that this was the cause of the accident. I am sorry I could not help you but I thought you would be interested in someone elses view of the tradegy.
Regards
Peter