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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: 26/08/04 22:14:54
Author: John Cooper
Subject: Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft
In reply to: John 'Gary' Cooper 's message, "Handley Page Hastings Aircraft" on 9/02/03 20:50:27

Just a reminder that I have been asked to present a talk to be held on Friday 3rd September 2004 at 1930hrs on the Handley Page Hastings aircraft at the Martlesham Heath Community Centre (Behind the Tesco superstore) near Ipswich.

Refreshments will be served, entry is £2 per head for non RAF Martlesham Heath members and £1 per head for members.

The talk, for approximately 2 hours, will focus on specific Hastings aircraft notably TG579 which crashed into the sea off RAF Gan on a storm laden night on March 1st 1960 in which I was a passenger on board returning to the UK after TOUREX in the Far East.

For some unknown reason the RAF decided to hide this accident under the Governments 40 year rule, reduced later to the 30 year rule. Since some of you heard what the aircraft (TG579) was said to be carrying in the way of cargo at a Katunayake/Gan reunion at Duxford Museum in June 2003 then you can understand why the RAF/MoD has been so reticent in discussing this incident with me. Some of you are also aware a team of Joint Services divers spent time in the Maldives in February 2004 looking for a ditched Hastings, this they failed to achieve and hope to return on an expedition in 2005 in order that a location may be fixed and a dive undertaken.

Further reading can be obtained from visiting the websites shown, for some unknown reason the RAF Martlesham Heath link does not appear to be working (coincidental maybe as my websites were also hacked at the same time!)

Splashdown on the Equator
The crash of Hastings TG579 of 48 Squadron at RAF Gan
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/index.html


RAF Changi 48 Squadron/FECs/Beverleys
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id24.html


The Goldfish Club for ditched flyers
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id23.html



RAF Gan 1957-1961
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id21.html


RAF Katunayake/Negombo
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id20.html



Bizarre and Tragic RAF Accidents
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id16.html


Splashdown in the Mediterranean Hastings TG613
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id14.html


205/209 Sunderland Squadron RAF Seletar
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id12.html


Links to other Military Webpages
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id7.html

Handley Page Hastings, bangs and prangs, splashes and crashes
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id11.html


Handley Page Hastings Elevator Problems
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id9.html


Contact John Cooper
http://splashdown2.tripod.com/id1.html


I look forward to meeting some of you on September 3rd, any problems please contact me as above

John Cooper

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Replies:

[> Re: Handley Page Hastings Aircraft -- Gordon 'Josh' Whiting, 13/02/05 16:07:17

Hastings TG508.

Re the update of 12 may 2004 sent by Ron Gibson.

I was also part of the team sent from Dishforth to Middleton St George to refit equipment for the return to Dishforth. I thought the repairs that had been carried out at M St G were because a wing had been damaged by hitting a bowser. I don’t recall any mention of “proving good faith and confidence” by flying back with her perhaps because we were all immortal in those days!

It was freezing cold and bleak at Middleton St George that January and we couldn’t wait to get back to the warmth of Dishforth. So as soon as enough work had been done to be airworthy I think we were told you can either fly back now or go with the lorry later. Everyone flew.
I also recall mention being made that it had been suggested to the pilot not to fly higher that a few hundred feet nor attempt to retract the undercarriage for the flight back of about 30 miles.


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