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Wed, Jan 07 2004, 0:55:28 [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2] ]

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Date Posted: 8/02/04 8:03:43
Author: John Cooper
Subject: Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft
In reply to: Peter Kay 's message, "Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft" on 2/02/04 19:12:54

TG577 crashed at Abingdon in 1965 with the loss of all on board, this is still the RAF's worst peactime UK accident. The elevator failed shortly after take off, although the Hastings gave valuable service one area that caused concern was the failure of the elevator bolts which resulted in several accidents, all fatal.

I recall this statement from one such Flight Engineer being put into practice before each flight and on more than two occasions I recall faults being found.

"As a new Flight Engineer at Colerne (36 Squadron) I flew to Malta with the crew of TG577. I remember very well being told by the Engineer on the crew to always put your shoulder under the elevator and check for movement. He was very insistent on doing this during the trip. I cannot think that he would not have noticed if anything was amiss before the last flight. Whatever did happen was not detectable on a pre-flight, his way of checking was to put a lot of pressure and movement directly under the brackets"

Thanks to Peter M

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Replies:

[> [> [> Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft -- John Cooper, 2/04/04 14:21:13

Alan Pickering ex AQM 24 & 36 Squadrons RAF Colerne mid 1960's is looking for Frank Hughes from that period, if anyone knows of Frank's whereabouts please let me know


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[> [> [> [> Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft -- Keith Griffiths, 25/08/04 7:14:29

I don't know what you might consider an 'interesting story' about that old work horse but in the 4 years I worked on them they certainly clocked up some air miles doing a variety of jobs from troop transport....I was at Lyneham during the Suez crisis and saw troop movements at that time,to CaseVac jobs airlifting sick and wounded, and I did a short spell on Mobile Servicing Flight at Edinburgh Field, Adelaide, sending supplies up to Maralinga where they were testing the H bomb.
At Edinburgh Field we were resposible for keeping two Hastings aircraft fully servicable at all times to keep the supplies flowing to Maralinga.
I once spent all night , with other trades of course, doing an engine change, the old Hercules engine, so it was ready for the early morning daily trip.
We had a good relationship with the aircrew who kept us supplied with refreshments, mainly liquid if my memory serves me right and we all did a good job for 6 months in 1958.
We flew back to Lyneham in the Hastings stopping at Darwin, Changi, Negombo, Karachi, Habanniya, El Adem and home. Took me a total of 6 days to get back and God wasn't the inside of a Hastings loud and noisy. I had flown out in a Comet and it had taken 26 hours what a difference!!
Later in 1963 when I was on 43 Squadron with Hunters, the squadron did a trip to Athens to 'show the flag' as it were, and all the ground crew and kit etc went out by...yes you guessed it , the good old Hastings.

Keith.


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[> [> [> [> Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft -- Jim Tannock, 10/10/05 17:05:28

I was at Colerne same time on 24. Frank and I went thru OCU at TIs; together. Last I saw of him was on an S&R programme on the beeb about 25 years ago. Think he had his galloping hrses. Pretty sure it was a semi documentary. These Irishmen can be a handful on a night out in Limassol,bermuda,Gander or ANYWHERE. Quite a lad.


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[> [> [> [> Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft -- BRENDAN BERKELEY, 18/08/12 23:03:41

i can still do 40 press ups! and i still shoot fox !
brendan berkeley here!
where's frank hughes???


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[> [> [> Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft -- Christina Taylor, 28/05/09 6:07:07

I am amazed at the arrogance in the face of dissapating funding for equipment used by fine men and women serving our countries in peacetime. I lost my father in the Abbingdon crash (please note I do not use the word "accident"). The causes were well known and predictable, but the aircraft were not grounded. Thank you RAF for allowing me to grow up never knowing the most important man in my life.

We have the same BS continuing with the Canadian helicopters - the whole world knows they are ticking time bombs, but no-one in power will ground them. Losing lives in peacetime is not only abhorrent, but life-taking. Who do we charge with murder?


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