Mid Air Incident of 17/06/1987 - RAF Tornado GR1 ZA493 and Jaguar GR1A XZ116
 

On the 17/06/1987 RAF Tornado GR1 ZA493 and Jaguar GR1A XZ116 collided near Keswick. The Tornado crew managed to abandon the aircraft, the sole occupant of the Jaguar was killed.

Link to the MAAS report

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/65A6B...16_17jun87.pdf

I am trying to trace the photographer who took a sequence of photographs of the incident. I have a colour photocopy of one of the photographs, but it is of poor quality. If anyone has any details of the incident, or the details of the photographer who was local to the area, please let me know. I believe the Jaguar pilot was Flt. Lt. A. Mannheim, and the Tornado crew were Flt Lt. N. Campion (Pilot) and Flt Lt. J. Head (Navigator).

Two days later and no replies.

I suspect if you were a little more forthcoming with exactly why you need these you may get a better response.

I don't have any ideas how to get hold of the pics, although AFM did publish one years later.

I was at Waddington and watched ZA493 depart that day:ooh:

V1

The Tornado was from Bruggen. I recall John Head had a photograph sent to him by the photographer you are probably referring to, who was walking in the area and who may have taken the shot horizontally from the same altitude at the moment of ejection....

John did have a selection I seem to remember, belive they were sent to him by a rambler/hiker/spotter, pretty nasty looking as well. The crash not John, well !

I was on the crash guard, fresh-faced 1st year in the RAF. Guy who ran the site I believe was an ex- lightning pilot - Flt Lt Clough, who had retrained as a fighter controller; we were all from Boulmer. We stayed in a local 4/5 * hotel, unfortunately some of the guys found the Jag pilot.

Sad day for all concerned - remember it well.

Keswick photos.
 

Hello Chris,

I don't need them for any specific reason, I was the individual who contacted AFM asking them to print the photo to try and find the photographer (April 97 I think!). I believe the the colour copy I have is indeed part of a sequence of photos taken by the walker in question.

I did manage to find out who the guy was, but very quicky mislaid his details and that was that! Just wandered if this post might find him again by some miracle? Currently involved in a project on the history and development of Martin Baker seats, and the other photos give a good example of the Mk. 10 in use.

With John Head as the crash test dummy........ :E

XZ116
 

Hello,

I'm not the photographer who took an ejection image that day but I did photograph the whole episode post crash that day.

In a nutshell...


I was 15 at the time & subsequently a professional photographer based in London these days.

Andy Wilson - Photography


On the day my brother was saw the Tornado pile-in just past Calf Close bay by Dewentwater and I was leaving Keswick School on my way home.
On arrival at Brackenrigg in Thirlmere (hotel my folks owned & used by RAF team as parking spot for a few days after) I took the Mountain Rescue team to the site where the wreckage was still on fire - they assumed I knew the fastest point to the site given it was behind our property.

Other brief details:

2nd jag stayed overhead for a while - I guess photographing site.
Crashed Jag had a photo pod - 120 sprocket film everywhere.
Boulmer Sea King in attendance & also RN Sea King (assume Prestwick) a bit later.
My camera & film (fathers Nikon) held by the police & retuned 2 days later.
Took about 3 rolls of colour film x 36.
Post clear up & as a 15 yr old into aviation I was allowed to keep a bit of XZ116 not that I really wanted to think about it afterwards.

Jag pilot found by myself, father, local farmer & his sheepdog - obviously very unpleasant. I don't really look back on that event too often & very surprised to stumble upon this thread.
As far as I know & according to the police & RAF officers at the house I was the only one to take any photographs at the site excluding RAF investigation. Was told I was very lucky not have film taken & given back unprocessed.

Yes, pilot was Andrew Simon Mannheim aged 26.

Only witnesses to see the Jag crash were 2 blokes staying on the side of St. Johns in Vale/Beckside on the opposite side of the valley - quite a distance & didn't take photos. Plenty of people out on the Lake saw the Tornado impact.


Feel free to drop me a line - have the negs somewhere.

If you find the image you are looking for please let me know as I'd be interested in seeing it & would expect the photographer was standing on Blea fell.

Ps If anyone wants a M-Baker seat (dismantled but pretty complete) - was in XE624 let me know. Needs collecting in the Lakes.

The Crash Test Dummy
 

Oy! That's enough taking my name in vain.

I do have the details (as of 1987) of the photographer who took the sequence. Feel free to contact me at PJHQ 01923 846012.

Crikey!
 

I think my post has found the people involved! I shall be in touch.

Jaguar XZ116D
 

Bit late but ive just picked up this thread. I am keen to get the exact location of the jaguar crash as I'd like to visit the site. I trained with Andy Mannheim and shared a room at the RAF College. I was stationed at Finningley when he was killed and went to his funeral. Anybody that knows the location or better still the grid ref please let me know.

Steve228, pm me and I'd be happy to show you the exact location as I was present on the day..

GYAKR

Thank you I did not expect such a quick response. Apologies but I don't know how to PM you. Probably my age!

Just mail me at [email protected]

Steve 228. I knew Andy (or 'André Simon' as his family called him back then) and his family, as a child. The main thing I remember about him is that he loved climbing trees. Always wanted to be up high, I guess. His death and circumstances of it of course had a devastating impact on his family - who experienced a further tragedy when his younger brother was killed in a climbing accident a couple of years later.