1955 Stradishall Tragedy and Debden Air Display Reports

Discussion in 'WW2 Museums. Events, & places to see.' started by papiermache, Feb 3, 2016.

  1. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    Transcribed from microfilm copies of the newspaper then published entitled: " Saffron Walden Weekly News, Haverhill Weekly News And " Cambridge Independent Press And Chronicle" published Friday, September 23, 1955.

    " Killed Rehearsing For "Battle" Display

    Fatal Crash At Stradishall

    How a 24-year-old pilot of a Meteor jet fighter was killed at the R.A.F. Station, Stradishall, near Haverhill, when his plane crashed while rehearsing aerobatics for a Battle of Britain display, was described at an inquest on Thursday.

    A verdict of " Death by misadventure" was recorded by the Coroner on Flying Officer John Ward, whose home was at Litherland, Liverpool.

    It was stated by Wing Commander Fred Rothwell, who has charge of the flying at Stradishall, that Ward was an experienced aerobatic pilot who had performed last year the same demonstration he was practising at the time he was killed.

    The Wing Commander said he authorised Ward to carry out the display over the airfield at 1,500 feet. It consisted of climbing rolls, slow rolls the full length of the runway, loops and aileron turns.

    The Wing Commander described how he watched from the control tower. After doing perfectly executed manoeuvres, he said, Ward came out of his last loop at a very steep angle. He did his aileron turn, but far too late, and he must have pulled quite hard to try and avoid hitting the ground. He hit the ground almost at the bottom of his pull-out.

    Not Enough Speed

    In answer to the coroner ( Mr. Thomas Wilson ), witness said it was a matter of misjudgment. Ward probably did not have enough speed to gain sufficient height in the loop.

    Flight-Lieut. W.E. Snelling, Flight Commander said Ward had flown the same machine two hours previously.

    Squadron Leader R.M.Bland, Senior Medical Officer, said death was instantaneous.

    It was stated that at the time of the inquest the authorities had not been able to contact the deceased's parents who were believed to be on holiday.

    An R.A.F. court of inquiry into the accident took place before the inquest, lasting several hours. "


    R.I.P.
     
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  2. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    In the same edition as the above report:

    Saffron Walden Weekly News

    Haverhill Weekly News

    And " Cambridge Independent Press And Chronicle"

    Friday, September 23, 1955

    8,000 VISITORS TO R.A.F. DEBDEN

    " At Home" Recalls Dark Days of 1940

    In common with many other service airfields up and down the country, R.A.F. Debden was "At Home" to the general public on Saturday to commemorate the Battle of Britain, fought overhead fifteen years ago, from July to October, 1940.

    Blessed with ideal weather, attendance was considerably more than last year, some 8,000 people, compared with 5,700. This was the largest for three years.

    The station was first opened to the public six years ago for what has come to be known as "Battle of Britain" day.

    In a message to those who made the trip on Saturday the aims of the "At Home" were explained by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain P.H. Holmes. They were, he said, threefold. Firstly, to commemorate our victory in the air during the last war, secondly to show how the R.A.F. live and serve in times of peace, and thirdly to help the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Force Association.

    Plenty To See

    There was plenty for visitors to see. On view were a Canberra twin-jet bomber, a De Havilland Vampire single jet fighter, a Boulton Paul Balliol advanced trainer aircraft, a Percival Provost single engined trainer, an Avro Lincoln four engine bomber, once a familiar sight in the evening sky, an Auster single-engined light aircraft, a De Havilland Vampire T11, a single yet advanced trainer, a De Havilland Chipmunk, used for basic flying training, an Avro Anson, a twin engined trainer and communications aircraft which is now out of production after giving outstanding service, an Airspeed Oxford, used for instrument flying training at Debden, and a Varsity aircraft which has superseded the Oxford and Anson. It is used for pilot, navigator and signaller training. At Debden it is used to demonstrate signals equipment to pupils in the air.

    For four hours visitors to Debden were fully occupied. They saw a firework display begin the afternoon, followed by formation flying by Varsity and Chipmunk aircraft, by Meteor N.F.12's, aerobatics by a Meteor, a fly past by Shackletons, a Spitfire and a Provost aircraft, formation flying by Sabre jet aircraft, some of them from Manston, Kent, a demonstration by a Canberra, a fly past by Hunter jets from Wattisham, near Ipswich, formation flying and supply dropping by Hastings, formation flying by Valetta aircraft and F84 Thunderstreak jets from Woodbridge, and, the most impressive sight of the afternoon, a visit by a Valiant bomber from RAF Gaydon.

    Unusual Aircraft.

    During the tea interval an unusual aircraft for local skies appeared - a Sunderland flying boat from Pembroke Dock. This was followed by a Chipmunk performing ground-controlled aerobatics.
    For a shilling members of the public could ask the pilot to carry out a particular manoeuvre.

    After tea there was still more flying, this time by an Auster, an attack on an aircraft by Meteors, aerobatics by a Provost, a fly past by Sabres, formation aerobatics by Meteors and an example of instructor pupil flying by a Chipmunk.

    With only half and hour to go to "closing time," a "flying saucer" was suddenly reported. The moment it landed it was surrounded by members of the R.A.F. Regiment and its occupants captured.

    If they tired of watching flying, members of the public could visit a hangar to see a collection of jet and piston-driven engines, bombs, guns, rockets and cameras, and a fully automatic ejector seat.

    The station had also procured a "V1" flying bomb and this stood at one end of a hangar, a ghastly reminder of the dying throes of Hitler's Germany.

    Housed in several buildings were the radar, wireless and science laboratories. They contained examples of airborne and ground wireless and radar equipment, telephones and teleprinters, dynamos and motors waveguides and aerial systems and test gear.

    The airmen's living quarters, airmen's dining hall and recreation rooms were also open to visitors.

    Entertainment

    For entertainment were various sideshows, rides for the children on the "Debden Flyer" and a model railway and shooting on the station rifle ranges, using either a rifle or a bren gun. For sixpence one could obtain the impression of actual flying by entering a Link trainer. At intervals during the afternnon the R.A.F. Debden and Saffron Walden Model Aircraft Clubs demonstrated control line model flying.

    Finally, again for sixpence, a series of films recalling the "war in the air" were shown in the station cinema.

    To end the afternoon the R.A.F. ensign was lowered to musical honours provided by No.4 Reginional Band of the R.A.F. from R.A.F. Henlow.
     
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  3. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    15 September 1955

    245 Squadron
    Meteor F8 WK820

    The aircraft hit the ground having failed to recover from a loop.

    F/O. John Ward +
     
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  4. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    "For a shilling members of the public could ask the pilot to carry out a particular manoeuvre ", according to the Debden report.

    This would not be allowed under "Action 6" recently issued by the CAA: " At least one day before an air show any pilots intending to fly aerobatic sequences....must notify the FDD " Flying Display Director" of the series of linked manoeuvres that they intend to perform. If the information is not provided, the FDD must not allow the pilot to fly at the air show." See CAP 1371 paragraph 3.13.

    It would be interesting to see the risk assessment for the public using rifles and machine guns, and as for aircraft attacks and flying saucers.....all in a day's work in 1955.

    Of course, since the R.A.F. are in charge the CAA rules might not apply. If the display had been in 2015, and the CAA charges applied, I reckon each of the 8,000 crowd ( assuming they all bought full price tickets ) would have paid about 42 pence each for the CAA permits.

    Under the proposals currently out to consultation ( see CAP 1373b ), assuming more than 31 aircraft took part, the share per individual would rise to £2.69.

    Perhaps the increase isn't enough to pay for more safety measures and, given that the price of oil has decreased ( I don't know if that is reflected in the price at the Avgas tanker ), would ticket prices increase in 2016 ?

    In 2015 that would have been £597 for grant of permit and two low flying permits plus £2,695 for the number of aircraft.

    In 2016, as proposed ( consultation ends on 29th February, there is a form on the CAA website for anybody interested in leaving a comment ) the figures are £1194 grant and low flying, £5390 number of aircraft, plus the new charge of £15,000 ( for 31 aircraft plus, the highest rate, it is lower for smaller numbers and there are discounts for displays within 30 days of the previous event at the same venue ) levied after the event.

    Since I've never worked it out before, I could be quite wrong, but it can be seen that there is a large increase in charges proposed.

    The actions set out in CAP 1371 are not the final words ( and a full scale review of charges is proposed for 2017. )

    There isn't a form for commenting on CAP 1371: the actions taken and to be taken, but I am sure the CAA would welcome any suggestions on how to make air displays safer.
     
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