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.
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