Wattisham
Area Aviation Accidents
(Military Aircraft accidents occurring
within 10 miles of Wattisham.)
26/06/1950 Beaufighter TT10 RD851
Whilst flying
on target towing duties with 34 Sqn, an engine failure caused altitude to be
lost. The pilot and target towing equipment operator were both killed as the
aircraft crashed 5 miles North of Colchester during the emergency landing.
After both
engines blew out on this 226 OCU aircraft, a wheels-up emergency landing was
made perpendicular to the active runway.
After
shedding a port tyre on take-off, this 64 Sqn aircraft crashed during a
wheels-up landing on PSP planking hidden beneath the grass.
This 226 OCU
aircraft crashed in
This 63 Sqn
aircraft crashed in
Whilst operating
with 247 Sqn this aircraft collided with WH424 at 28,000 ft
over Alpheton. After spinning the pilot ejected at
2,500 ft but failed to separate from the seat and was killed (WH424 landed
safely at base but was struck off charge).
Whilst
operating with 226 OCU this aircraft crashed near Higham.
The pilot had ejected at low level just before impact but died from his
injuries.
This 257 Sqn
aircraft lost control at the top of a loop, the pilot ejecting safely as the
aircraft crashed South-West of Wattisham.
During a
rehearsal for the Queen’s Coronation Review, this 257 Sqn aircraft collided
with VZ560 North-East of Wattisham, killing the pilot.
During a
rehearsal for the Queen’s Coronation Review, this 257 Sqn aircraft collided
with VZ556 North-East of Wattisham, killing the pilot.
04/10/1954 Meteor
NF12 WS691
This 152 Sqn Meteor was hit by a USAF F-86 during an unauthorised practice
attack. The F-86 pilot was killed after ejecting and the Meteor crashed 2.5
miles WSW of Needham Market, killing both the crew.
Whilst
operating with 253 Sqn, the aircraft suffered an engine explosion, being abandoned,
crashing on Mount Pleasant Farm, Stowupland.
02/08/1957 Hunter
F6 XE586
Whilst
operating with 263 Sqn, the aircraft was abandoned in an inverted spin,
crashing in
11/07/1958 Javelin
FAW4 XA751
This 141 Sqn
aircraft was abandoned during a spin whilst performing aerobatics 1½ miles
North West of Wattisham.
Flying with
111 Sqn during an aerobatic display, it collided with XG200 and dived into the
ground (XG200 landed safely).
This 111 Sqn
aircraft was coded “C” when abandoned 1 mile North of Lavenham
after the airbrakes and undercarriage were jammed.
Coded “J”
with 56 Sqn whilst performing an aerobatic display, it collided with XM174 during
a bomb-burst manoeuvre. The aircraft was abandoned over Great Bricett with the pilot suffering minor injuries (XM174
landed safely).
This 111 Sqn
aircraft was coded “D” when it bounced on landing at Wattisham and the undercarriage
collapsed. Airframe subsequently allocated 7838M at
Operating as
“H” with 111 Sqn, the engine caught fire on approach. After landing
successfully, the airframe was not repaired and the nose section was allocated
7854M at Abingdon, later becoming 8590M.
Abandoned
whilst with 111 Sqn coded “H” after both engines flamed out, Battisford Hall, Needham Market.
Whilst
operating as “F” with 56 Sqn, the engine flamed out during a practice diversion
to Bentwaters. A jammed canopy prevented ejection and
the aircraft belly landed in a field and hit a wall at Elm Farm, Helmingham, killing the pilot.
Whilst
operating as “A” with 111 Sqn, the aircraft failed to get airborne and skidded
into the barrier catching fire. The cause was either a reheat fire or premature
undercarriage retraction.
Operating as
“K” with 29 Sqn, the tail bumper struck the runway during take-off, rupturing
the ventral tank and causing an engine fire.
The aircraft was abandoned 9 miles South West of Wattisham, crashing at
Gt. Waldingfield.
10/12/1973 Lightning
F3 XP738
This 111 Sqn
aircraft was coded “E” when it belly landed in error at night. It was struck
off charge on
23/09/1981 Buccaneer
S2B XW537
Whilst
returning from an early evening sortie with 237 OCU (at the time detached to
Wattisham from Honington), the aircraft stalled on final approach, rolled, and
was abandoned. Both crew ejected safely about a mile out on 23 approach.
Whilst
departing during the morning, the canopy blew off this 4 FTS aircraft
(temporarily detached to Wattisham from Valley) and the crew ejected. The
un-manned jet circled the airfield before crashing into a cottage in Nedging Tye
References:-
UK Serials
Resource Centre (www.ukserials.com)
Mick
Boulanger, Tom McGhee, Doug Pritchard
Last Take-Off
- A Record of RAF Aircraft Losses 1950 to 1953
Colin
Cummings ISBN 0-9526619-3-4
Air
James J
Halley ISBN
0-85130-311-0
British
Military Aircraft Serials and Markings
BARG ISBN 0-906339-04-9