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Handley Page Victor

List being compiled

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial

based

crashed crew photo seat
14th July 1953
RAF
Victor Prototype
WB771
   Tail broke off. Crashed at Cranfield during low level position error runs      
                 
   
 

31 DECEMBER 1953       

VICTOR 1(P)                    

WB771

 

Sqn Ldr H.G.Hazelden DFC (Graduate No.l Course; (Chief Test

Pilot) Handley Page, Radlett. Sapphire engine development,

systems test. High frequency vibration from the engines, now

operating at their 8,3001b thrust ratings, caused the starboard inner

flap to detach unknown to the crew. The aircraft completed an

undemanded roll to port when the flaps were lowered during the

landing approach. Flaps deselected and a flapless recovery

successfully made. (ref 75). Nil casualties. Cat 3.

 

                 
 

14 JULY 1954                 

VICTOR B.1(P)                

WB771

Sqn Ldr RN.Ecclestone DFC AFC (Graduate No.8 Course; Test

Pilot), Mr E.N.K.Bennett (Flight Test Observer), Mr B.Heithersay

(Flight Test Observer) and Mr A.B.Cook (Flight Test Observer),


Handley Page, Radlett. Position error calibration flight involving level runs at 100ft over Cranfield airfield at increasing speeds. After numerous runs over the airfield, induced tail flutter caused cracking of the bolt holes in the fin. These allowed the three bolts securing the tailplane to loosen and shear in quick succession, the complete tailplane and elevators broke away from the aircraft. The remainder of the aircraft dived into the ground at full power, striking exactly at the intersection of the two Cranfield runways. (refs 6, 14, 20, 62, 74, 75, 93 & 207). 4 killed. Cat 5.

 

DATE
???

RAF
Victor Development aircraft
XA919
  Damaged in flying accident, landed but written off.      
   
18th July 1960
RAF
Victor XH613    4 engine flameout on approach to Cottesmore      
   
19th July 1960


RAF

Victor B1A XH617 57 Sqn 3 miles south east of Diss, Norfolk Flt. Lt. J. Mudford (Captain)   Martin-Baker
19th July 1960
RAF
Victor       Flt. Lt. J. J. Mudford ejected   Martin-Baker
19th July 1960
RAF
Victor XH617   Alternator drive shaft failure. Crashed over Norfolk      
   
23rd March 1962
RAF
Victor XL159   Stable stall, crashed near Newark      
23rd March 1962
RAF
Victor B.Mk2 XL159 M.O.A loss of control the aircraft went into a flat spin pilot ejected 200-300 knots I.A.S. at 500ft

FIJLT J.W.Watenon -AM P.Murphy

?????

  Martin-Baker 3LS
co-pilot ejected 200-300 knots I.A.S. at 500 - 1,000ft suffered back injuries   Martin-Baker 3LS
23rd March 1962


RAF

Victor B2 XL159 A&AEE Stubton Notts

ALL THREE OTHER CREW SURVIVED

Mr. P. Murphy   Martin-Baker
Flt. Lt. J. W. Waterton   Martin-Baker
 

23 MARCH 1962            

VICTOR B.2                     

XL159

Mr P.Murphy (Test Pilot, Handley Page Aircraft), Flt Lt J Waterton (Graduate No. 19 Course), Mr M.P.Evans (Navigator) and Mr P Elwood (Flight Test Observer, Handley Page). `B' Sqn, A&AEE, flown from Radlett. Flight trial into the low speed handling characteristics with recently fitted production fixed droop leading edges that replaced the conventional nose flaps. During an approach to the stall at 16,OOOft in the landing configuration the aircraft was mishandled and entered a stable stall followed by a flat spin from which the crew were unable to recover, the aircraft sinking at a rate of about 6,OOOft/min. Both pilots ejected safely, the co‑pilot at 1,OOOft and the captain at 400­500ft. One rear crew (Mr J.Tank AEO) abandoned the aircraft successfully, the other two‑rear crew remained with the aircraft. The aircraft, descending almost vertically, crashed onto a farmhouse at Stubton (Lincolnshire), near Newark‑on‑Trent, killing two residents and injuring two more (Mr and Mrs D.Burtt). (refs 2, 20, 28, 77 & 207). Pilots injured. 2 crew killed (Evans and Ellwood). 2 non‑occupant civilians killed (Mrs A.Gibson and Miss C.P.Gibson). Cat 5.

 

4th June 1962
RAF
Victor B.1A XH613 15 Sqdn,
 Cottesmore
all four engines failed at 2,000ft Pilot ejected OK   Martin-Baker
Co-Pilot ejected OK   Martin-Baker
all 3 rear crew "bailed out"    
FEEDBACK

Hi

I refer to the reason for the loss of Victor B1A XH613 on the 4th of June 1962.

The  reason that all four engines lost power was because an electrical socket, part of the fuel control system, became detached from the back of the central  sliding fuel panel. I think it was called the AT Panel.

 It was a great surprise to all, that all four engine fuel controls were routed through the one socket. Even Radlett couldn't believe it. The socket of course should have been wire locked. I cannot remember now whether it had been, and the wire had broken, or if indeed it had been removed at some point and the wire not replaced and locked.

 I refer too to Victor XA 929 lost on the 16th of the same month. It was said at the time that the air was insufficiently dense for the aircraft to get enough lift .The temperature at the time being very hot. Bearing in mind it was a lone ranger on a full fuel load. The pilot realised he wasn't going to make it, and abandoned take off. The rest is history. I remember the great weight of sadness that hung over Cottesmore at the time.

 Hope the above helps to keep the info as accurate as possible.

At that time I was an aircraft electrician on 10 Squadron

 David M T Ketley
in email 31st January 2008

 
 
16th June 1962
RAF
Victor XA929   Crashed on take off at Akrotiri      
   
2nd October 1962
RAF
Victor XA934          
2nd October 1962


RAF

Victor B1 XA934 232 OCU
RAF Gaydon
Engine failure 3 miles south west of RAF Gaydon Pilot Captain Flight Lieutenant Noel Edward COOKE
killed
   
Flt. Lt. B. C. Gwinnell (co-pilot)   Martin-Baker
Pilot Officer John Anthony COTTRIDGE
killed
   
Flying Officer Douglas Frank HAYNES
killed
   
FEEDBACK

Hi , I did the pre-flight checks on XA 934 on the morning shift at R.A.F. Gaydon on October the 2nd 1962.During the night shift it crashed. Flt Lt. Gwinnel had ejected [his seat had been serviced by Junior Technician Philip [Sam] Weller. The aircraft was in a tail down attitude while entering a small copse. Gwinnel ejected and hit the ground still in the seat. He was badly injured but eventually returned to flying. The first pilot , Flt Lt. Noel Edward Cooke [Captain Cooke to us "erks"] fired his seat , but during the time delay for the canopy to be jettisoned , the aircraft exploded.

All the best .ex Leading Aircraftman "Shingles" McVey
[in email 5th November 2007]

20th March 1963
RAF
Victor XM714   Stalled after take off from Wittering      
20th March 1963


RAF

Victor B2 XM714 100 Sqn 3.5 miles east-north-east of RAF Wittering Flt. Lt. B. J. Jackson (co-pilot)   Martin-Baker
   
20th March 1963
RAF
Victor 2 XM714   aircraft in spin 2nd
pilot Major B. Jackson ejected at 2,00ft, 180 kts Suffered compression
fracture
  Martin-Baker Mk.3LS.2
   
29th June 1966
RAF
Victor XM716   Crashed near Wyton      
   
19th August 1968
RAF
Victor XH646   Collided with a Canberra over Norfolk      
   
10th May 1973
RAF
Victor XL230   Lost control after touch and go at Wyton      
   
24th March 1975
RAF
Victor
Tanker
XH618:   collided with Buccaneer over North Sea      
24th March 1975
RAF
Victor XH618   Mid-air collision Flt. Lt. K.L.Handscomb ejected using seat pan handle probably below 7000'.   Martin-Baker Mk3L1 Mk2
Major compression fracture of vertebrae and incomplete fracture of left ankle.
Co-pilot: Martin-Baker 3L2 Mk2. Unable to reach handles. Rear crew unable to escape from cabin
due to high negative "G" forces. Beyond vertical nose down attitude.  resulting in
loss of control.
24th March 1975


RAF

Victor K1A XH618 57 Sqn Simulated refueling Buccaneer hit XH618's tailplane - off Sunderland Flt. Lt. Keith L. Handscomb   Martin-Baker
   
DATE
RAF
Victor
B2 prototype
XH668   lost over Irish Sea after pitot probe detached and leading edge slats auto deployed      
   
28th September 1976
RAF
Victor XL513   Take off abort, Marham      
   
15th October 1982
RAF
Victor XL232   Turbine disc failure leading to uncontrolled fire on take off roll, Marham      
   
19th June 1986
RAF
Victor XL191   Stalled on approach at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada      
   
 
RAF
Victor            
   
 
RAF
Victor            
 

15‑Mar‑93

XH671

Victor K2                                                          

55 Sqn                                                              

RAF Marham                                                   

0

 

The main cabin door and the surrounds were damaged beyond repair in a pressure test. The aircraft was not repaired because the type was approaching the end of its service life

 

                 
                 


 

--------------------------------------------


 


19 JUNE 1957                 

VICTOR B.1                     

XA919

Flt Lt G.H.Moreau (Graduate No.l3 Course) and Flt Lt VMcNabney GM, `B' Sqn, A&AEE. Due to a technical defect the aircraft landed at Wittering with the starboard wheel brakes locked on. The front four tyres of the bogie were torn away, the rear four tyres burst and the wheels were damaged. Debris from the tyres damaged the starboard flaps, severed the electrical earth point in the undercarriage bay and pierced the fuselage and the bomb bay. The aircraft was recovered successfully to Boscombe Down with numerous electrical faults. Modifications subsequently introduced. (refs 62 & 180). Nil casualties. Cat 4.


20 AUGUST 1959           

VICTOR B.2 (P)               

XH668

Sqn Ldr R.J.Morgan (Graduate No. 16 Course) and Sqn Ldr G.B.Stockman (Graduate No. 15 Course), `B' Sqn, A&AEE. Trials flight ‑ high speed manoeuvrability. A fatigue fracture induced the loss of the starboard wingtip pitot head tube, which led to a low speed input to the auto Mach trim actuator and the stall detector thus lowering the elevators and extending the leading edge flaps. The aircraft progressed into a high‑speed dive from 54,OOOft. Partial structural failure preceded impact with the sea at Mach 0.855, off St Brides Bay, Wales. Unsuccessful ejection by the captain just prior to impact. The analysis of the accident was only achieved after a 14­month sea search, which ended on 19 November 1960, during which time 46 ships were involved, 11,069 deep‑sea trawls were made and 592,610 pieces of wreckage recovered, amounting to 70 per cent of the aircraft. (refs 2, 16, 17, 28, 33 & 207). 5 missing, presumed killed (crew plus Flt Lt L.N.Williams, Flt Lt R.J.Hannaford and Mr R.Williams (Handley Page)). Cat 5.


2 MARCH 1961               

VICTOR B.1                     

XA917

Mr W.R.Burton (1st pilot), Mr H Rayner (2nd pilot), Mr D John

(Navigator), Mr A.J.Vincent (AEO), and Mr D Cook (Observer,

RAE Farnborough), Handley Page, Radlett. X‑band radar trials.

The aircraft landed in the undershoot and damaged the nose­

wheels, the aircraft then ran on to the runway and proceeded more

or less normally until the brake parachute was streamed. With a

strong crosswind, and without nose‑wheel steering, the aircraft ran

off the side of the runway onto grass where the nose dug in and the

undercarriage collapsed causing extensive damage to the fuselage.

(refs 1 & 207). Nil casualties. Cat 5.



 

5 DECEMBER 1960         

VICTOR B.2                     

XH673

MC .1.W.Allan 1 (Test Pilot), Sqn Ldr R.L.Bates, Mr R.A.Funnell, Mr

J.P.Quinn and Mr J.Rudeforth, Handley Page, Radlett. High weight

functional tests. Hydraulic failure. The aircraft landed wheels‑up, tail

first, at Waddington, on foam. (refs 2, & 93). Nil casualties. Cat 4.



 

 


17 AUGUST 1962           

VICTOR B.2                     

XL161

Mr J.Baker and Mr Longhurst (Flight Test Observer), Avro. Blue

Steel carriage and release testing trials by No.4 JSTU, Woomera,

Australia. At 47,OOOft in the climb to 50,OOOft, a leak in the

second pilot's pitot static system caused the auto Mach trimmer to

run fully out and apply a rearward force to the control column and

the second pilot's Mach meter to read Mach 1.03 (above the

permissible limit). The first pilot's Mach meter correctly

indicated Mach 0.76. Thinking that he had excessive speed, the

first pilot reacted to the second pilot's instrument by throttling

back and extending the air brakes thus reducing speed. The

aircraft stalled and pitched up, the pilot lost control and the

aircraft spun. Recovery was not achieved until the landing brake

parachute was streamed and used as an anti‑spin device. A return

to level flight was accomplished at 17,OOOft. (refs 1 & 207). Nil

casualties. Cat 3.



 


Victor                    XA929           16‑Jun‑62

Victor                    XA934           02‑Oct‑62

Victor                    XH613           14‑Jun‑62

Victor                    XH617           19‑Jul‑60

Victor                    XH618           24‑Mar‑75

Victor                    XH646           19‑Aug‑68

Victor                    XH668           20‑Aug‑59

Victor                    XH671           15‑Mar‑93

Victor                    XL159           23‑Mar‑62

Victor                    XL191           19‑Jun‑86

Victor                    XL230           10‑May‑73

Victor                    XL232           15‑Oct‑82

Victor                    XL513           28‑Sep‑76

Victor                    XM714          20‑Mar‑63

Victor                    XM716          29‑Jun‑66

 

 


14‑Jul‑54

WB771

Victor Prototype H Page                                                             

Cranfield airfield, Bedfordshire                                                 

4

 

The aircraft broke up whilst making calibration runs over the airfield. The cause of the loss was failure of the tailplane. 'Taffy' Ecclestone was a graduate of the Empire Test Pilots' School No 8 Course in 1949 and had recently joined Handley Page. He accepted the task to fly the Victor on this sortie so that the senior test pilot; Squadron Leader Hedley George Hazelden DFC & Bar, could carry out a rescheduled demonstration of another aircraft to a foreign sales delegation. Ecclestone had been awarded the Distnguished Flying Cross following a tour with 218 Sqn. Ian Bennett had been one of the two man crew (the other was Squadron Leader Hazelden) who made the first flight in a Victor on 24 December 1952.

 

Squadron Leader Ronald Vivian Ecclestone DFC Handley Page Test Pilot ‑ Captain Mr Ian K BENNETT Handley Page Flight Test Observer Mr B HEITHERSAY Handley Page Flight Test Observer Mr A B COOK Handley Page Flight Test Observer

 

20‑Aug‑59

XH668

Victor B2                                                          

A&AEE                                                              

off Milford Haven                                           

5

 

The aircraft was on a test flight when it lost the starboard pressure head. This gave incorrect airspeed readings and the aircraft was then allowed to dive and became out of control before breaking up. A massive search was conducted to recover the wreckage of this aircraft from the sea and to identify the cause of the loss.

 

Squadron Leader Raymond James MORGAN 34 Pilot Captain

Squadron Leader George Breakspear STOCKMAN 29 Co‑Pilot


                         Flight Lieutenant Lewis Nicholas WILLIAMS Navigator

                         Flight Lieutenant Ronald John HANNAFORD Air Electronics Officer

                         Mr Robert H WILLIAMS Handley Page Flight Test Observer


19‑Jul‑60

XH617

Victor KlA                                                         

57 Sqn                                                              

3 Miles South East of Diss Norfolk             

3

 

Abandoned on fire after alternator drive failed and penetrated fuel tank. The Captain, Flight Lieutenant J Mudford and the Air Electronics Operator, Flying Officer G C Stewart, survived the accident

 

Flying Officer Michael John WILKES Co‑Pilot

Flight Lieutenant John Bernard Paul WILDING Navigator (Radar)

Flight Lieutenant Rodney Syd BRISTOW Navigator (Plotter)


23‑Mar‑62

 XL159 Victor B2

A&AEE                                                               

Stubton Notts                                                 

2

 

Stalled and dived into house killing 2 on ground

 

                         Mr M EVANS 25 Navigator Handley Page Flight Test Crew

                         Mr P ELWOOD 26 Flight Test Observer Handley Page Flight Test Crew

Mr P Murphy (Captain), Mr J Tank and Flight Lieutenant J Waterton all survived the accident)



 

14‑Jun‑62

XH613 Victor

KlA                                                                     

15 Sqn                                                              

5 miles North East of RAF Cottesmore     

0

 

Whilst approaching RAF Cottesmore at the end of the sortie, all four engines ran down because the electrical connectors became disconnected on the throttle box. The aircraft was being flown by the squadron commander; Wg Cdr Matthews with Flying Officer Lowther as his co‑pilot. On the order to abandon the aircraft, it is believed that the rear crew left the aircraft in less than half a minute and,


although one man left the rubber of his flying boots along the fuselage, the entire crew survived. It was particularly tragic, therefore, that a few days later another Victor from the Cottesmore sister squadron should crash with the loss of all on board. (Crew: Captain ‑ Wg Cdr J G Matthews, Co‑Pilot ‑ Fg Off W B Lowther, Navigator Plotter ‑ Flt Lt G B Spencer, Navigator Radar ‑ Flt Lt B H Stubbs, Air Electronics Operator ‑ Flt Lt E W Anstead). In June 1983, the author joined Bill Lowther for a drink to celebrate his second 21st birthday!

 

 

16‑Jun‑62

 XA929

Victor B1                                                                 

10 Sqn                                                                     

RAF Akrotiri Cyprus                                             

6

 

Incorrect flap reading led to wrong selection on take off. By the time the pilot had realised the possible T reason for the aircraft not becoming airborne it was too late to avoid the crash. The co‑pilot ejected T shortly before the crash but his ejection was outside the design limits of the seat and he did not survive.

 

Flight Lieutenant George Alfred GOATHAM 27 Pilot Captain

Flight Lieutenant David Cairns BROWN 28

Flight Lieutenant John GRAY 36

Flying Officer Anthony William MITCHELL 21 Co‑Pilot

Flying Officer Albert Peter PACE 24

Master Technician Donald Arthur SMITH 40 Crew Chief

 

 


02‑Oct‑62

XA934

Victor B1                                                          

2320CU                                                            

3m South‑west RAF Gaydon                      

3

 

 

Engine failed on take off and the aircraft was abandoned after two others failed

                         Flight Lieutenant Noel Edward COOKE 39 Pilot Captain

                         Pilot Officer John Anthony COTTRIDGE

                         Flying Officer Douglas Frank HAYNES

(the co‑pilot; Flight Lieutenant E B C Gwinnel, a former Canberra pilot with 45 Squadron was saved)

 

 

 


20‑Mar‑63

XM714

Victor B2                                                           

100 Sqn                                                            

3 1 / 2 M East‑north‑east RAF Wittering

5

 

The aircraft, with a crew of five and a Bomber Command 'umpire' took off in the early evening to fly a bomber night exercise. The weather was good and the aircraft had only recently been delivered new from the factory. After a normal take‑off and after passing 800 feet, the co‑pilot noticed the No 2 engine fire warning light illuminated. He told the captain that No 1 engine was on fire but the captain

 

contradicted him with the correct engine details and instructed the co‑pilot to tell Air Traffic Control and then told the rear crew members to check their parachutes. The co‑pilot noticed that the undercarriage warning flag, which is activated if speed drops below 160 knots and the undercarriage has not been lowered, was flashing and he warned the captain to watch his speed. The captain replied that he was climbing for height and despite the severe juddering believed that the aircraft had sufficient speed because, it is thought, he believed he was at 100 knots higher speed than was the case. At around 5000 feet the aircraft flicked over to port and fell away partly inverted. The captain ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft and the rear crew members were unable to do so because of the increasing 'G' forces as the aircraft spun down. The co‑pilot ejected and was unharmed. It seems the only possible explanation for an experienced captain losing control in this way was for him to have assumed he had the right speed and that the juddering was not a stall but structural failure caused by the engine fire.

 

                         Flight Lieutenant Alexander Douglas GALBRAITH 29 Pilot

                         Flight Lieutenant Edward Joseph VERNON 32 Navigator Radar

                         Flight Lieutenant James CHURCHILL 31 Navigator Plotter

                         Flying Officer Terence Ian SANDFORD 23 Air Electronics Officer

                         Master Navigator Albert STRINGER 39 (Exercise Umpire, on loan from 139 Squadron)

(co pilot Flight Lieutenant B J Jackson escaped)



 

 

 

29‑Jun‑66

XM716

Victor SR2                                                       

543 Sqn                                                            

Near Warboys Airfield                                  

4

 

Broke up in high speed low level turn. The aircraft, the first SR2 to enter service with the squadron, was being demonstrated to the Press. The evidence suggests that it was overstressed in the turn and broke up over the old airfield at Warboys.

 

Squadron Leader John Anthony HOLLAND Captain

Flying Officer Harry WALSH Co‑Pilot

Flight Lieutenant Royston Arthur NORMAN Navigator

Flight Lieutenant Kenneth SMITH Air Electronics Officer

 

 

 

19‑Aug‑68

XH646

Victor

K1 A                                                                  

214 Sqn                                                            

Kelling Heath Norfolk                                    

4

 

Whilst flying in extremely poor weather conditions which rendered the radar cover inadequate, the Victor was in collision with a Canberra. The crews of both aircraft were killed. Squadron Leader Doyle had assumed his responsibilities as a flight commander on 214 Squadron on the morning of his death.

 

Squadron Leader Michael Thomas DOYLE Navigator

Flight Lieutenant William Anthony GALLIENE Captain

Gallienne

Flight Lieutenant Kenneth John PEACOCK Navigator

Flight Lieutenant Roger Stanley MORTON Co‑Pilot

 

 


10‑May‑73

XL230

Victor SRZ                                                       

543 Sqn                                                            

RAF Wyton                                                      

6

 

Loss of control during unauthorised asymetric night approach and rolled over. It appears that the pilot may have allowed the speed to decay too much and that he lost control authority and was unable to prevent the aircraft rolling onto its back. As a co‑pilot, Stevenson had been amongst a crew taking part in a transatlantic race held in 1969 to mark the anniversary of the Alcock and Browne crossing.

 

Flight Lieutenant Stuart Hawthorne STEVENSON Captain

Flight Lieutenant John Weir PHILIPS 27 Co‑Pilot

Flight Lieutenant Keith Robert QUINNEY 29 Navigator

Squadron Leader John Philip MUSSON 38 Navigator (Flight Commander)

Flight Lieutenant Richard John SWAIN 33 Navigator

Flight Lieutenant John Henry GIBBS 42 Air Electronics Officer

 


24‑Mar‑75

XH618

Victor

 KlA                                                                    

57 Sqn                                                              

off Sunderland                                                

4

 

Mid air collision with Buccaneer XV156. The Victor was taking part in simulated refuelling when the Buccaneer struck the tailplane rendering the Victor immediately uncontrollable. It bunted over and the 'g' forces made it impossible for the crew to escape; the captain, Flight Lieutenant Keith Handscomb managed to reach the ejection handle with the fingers of one hand and although injured was subsequently rescued by a merchant ship. The aircraft exploded as it reached the cloud tops. The Buccaneer was undamaged and returned to base.

 

Flight Lieutenant David Hallam CROWTHER

Flight Lieutenant Peter Joseph Leo SLATTER

Flying Officer Terence Patrick EVANS

Flying Officer John Arthur PRICE

 



 

28‑Sep‑76

XL513

Victor K2                                                                 

55 Sqn                                                                     

RAF Marham                                                         

0

Crashed into the overshoot following birdstrike whilst taking off

 


15‑Oct‑82

XL232

Victor K2                                                          

55 Sqn                                                              

RAF Marham                                                   

0

 

Engine explosion and major fire when taking off. The aircraft was brought to a stop and quickly evacuated by its crew and despite prompt attention from the fire crew, the aircraft was engulfed by flames from its heavy fuel load and completely destroyed



 

 

19‑Jun‑86

XL191

Victor K2                                                          

55 Sqn                                                              

Hamilton Canada                                           

0

 

 

Crashed into the undershoot during approach to land. The detailed circumstances of this accident are taught within the RAF flight safety training environment as an example of how not to do things. In essence there was a breakdown in crew cooperation which, when taken with other factors led to the loss of the aircraft



 

 

 

 

FIRST SET OF INFORMATION

 

UK Flight Testing Accidents 1940-1971 – Derek Collier Web – Air Britain – isbn 0-85120-331-1

 SECOND SET OF INFORMATION

To Fly No More Service – Colin Cummings – isbn 0-9526619-2-6

Lost to Service – Colin Cummings - isbn 09526619-0-X

Please note the date difference given for WB771

Collier-Webb gives 1953 whereas Cummings gives 1954

(I think DCW is correct – Any confirmation – Derek was a stickler for accuracy and a good friend. He was editor of PROFILE – the Boscombe Down Safety Magazine Editor for a several years in the 1990s and actually got me to write several articles for him on Assisted Aircrew escape Systems History.  I was never on time, always too wordy – he was a brilliant individual – ever patient with this “civilian writer” – he is sadly missed)

All info from Andrew Brooke's excellent book 'Handley Page Victor'  ISBN 0-7110-1803-0
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