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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: 22/06/04 10:07:30
Author: John Cooper
Subject: Hastings 'Hot Cargo'

Can any of you guys give an opinion of whether or not 'hot/sensitive cargo' was placed on Hastings, Britannias, Comets, Beverleys or Valettas in the 50's or 60's together with passengers on board. By hot/sensitive cargo I do mean parts of nuclear bombs (detonators, trigger assemblies), not the bombs themselves or any rocket parts that was destined for Maralinga or Woomera in Australia.

I do know that Hastings and Tudors fuselage were sprayed with water to keep them cool in the Far East during daylight. Most of these aircraft flew during the day where the upper air ambient temperature was very much lower than if the aircraft were on the ground 'unserviceable'.

If you don't want to leave your proper name or e.mail address, that is no problem. The Ministry of Defence have declined to discuss this subject with me anymore........so if you could make an old sage a little wiser I sure would appreciate this!

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Replies:

[> Re: Hastings 'Hot Cargo' -- John Holloway, 22/06/04 18:24:15

Hi John

I don't recall passengers on the old UAH Hastings with priority freight on board passing thru Mauripur 54-56.

There was an article some time ago in Flypast of Hastings going via N'Foundland and the US having two armed SP's on board together an officer armed with a guiger counter.

cheers

jhy


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[> [> Re: Hastings 'Hot Cargo' -- John Cooper, 22/06/04 19:45:10

Hi John
Somehow I thought you might be the first to reply, yes Hastings used to fly via Newfy, USA to Christmas Island. I have also heard that these Hastings crews (apparently) used to wear parachutes in flight, if this is the case then special seats must have been provided for their use as the para stowage was immediatly above the position between Flt Eng and Pilots area.

The UAH trips to Aus did carry a mix of Haz cargo and Pax, I have had confirmation of this from someone currently living in South Australia who was stationed in the RAF at RAAF Edinburgh Field between 1958-60.

I am trying to piece together here an incident that I was involved with at RAF Gan in 1960 where it 'is possible' that the Hastings aircraft that ditched in the sea was carrying some sensitive cargo.

I shall never know for certain if it was as the MoD have decided not to communicate with me any further despite asking questions through the Prime Ministers Office.

I do know that 36 Squadron from Colerne was instrumental in carrying sensitive cargo without Pax and this involved trips to Woomera (Edinburgh Specials), 48 Squadron from Changi conducted theses trips too.


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