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<<< 1960

The Year 1961

1962 >>>

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   January  

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crashed crew photo seat
3rd January 1961
USN
Crusader YF-8C BuNo 147040 NATC PAX in US Pilot ejected   Vought
11th January 1961
USMC
Crusader F-8B BuNo 145447 VMF-312 in Japan Pilot ejected   Vought
11th January 1961
USN
Crusader F-8C BuNo 147017 VF-103, CVA-59   Pilot ejected   Martin-Baker
9th January 1961 RAF Vampire T11 XD431 Flying Training Command went missing over the Wash Pilot Officer Leonard Dalton    
9th January 1961

[possible ejection] RAF Vampire T11 XD431 of Flying Training Command. Following engine malfunction pilot radioed intention to eject. No trace of pilot or aircraft found. [dfsr/no 40/ May 1962]

  Mike

I came across your site whilst researching what happened to the aircraft my
brother (Pilot Officer Leonard Dalton) was flying when it was lost in 1961.
I know this was XD431 and it actually went missing over the Wash on 9
January 1961 (your notes say 19 Jan).

Can you tell me what your reference 'dfsr/no 40/ May 1962' refers to as it
may help in my investigations.

Thanks and congratulations on an interesting website.

Regards

Mike Dalton

20th January 1961


USAF

F-100

2850

48th TFW/492nd TFS

crashed 1 mi SE of Grove farm, Gissing, England hydraulic failure during climbout from Lakenheath on training mission to Holland

Pilot ejected safely

 

NAA

23rd January 1961
RAF
Vampire T11 XE882 1FTS unable to recover
the aircraft from a practice spin. Aircraft crashed at Aysgarth, North Yorkshire
Flt. Lt. G.Richards ejected and  seriously injured landing
heavily on frozen ground.
  Martin-Baker
Lt. M. J .M. Wilkin ejected and  seriously injured landing
heavily on frozen ground.
  Martin-Baker

   February 

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crash / test crew photo seat
1st February 1961
RAF
Jet Provost T3 XN460 / 26 2 FTS Crashed at Syerston. Notts after failing to recover
from a spin
Student Plt. Off.I. F. Mitchinson ejected safely   Martin-Baker
1st February 1961
USN
Crusader F-8A BuNo 145366 VF-51  in US Lt. Cdr. A. C. O'Neal ejected   Martin-Baker
8th February 1961
RN
Sea Vixen FAW1 XJ527/H 242 890 Sqn
HMS Hermes
Crashed into the sea off Tengah,
Singapore
Lt. G. W. G. Hunt   Martin-Baker
Lt. J. S. Morris   Martin-Baker
17th February 1961
Stanley
AT-6 Texan N7704C Stanley Aviation Company Live Test of Parachute Extraction System FIRST LIVE YANKEE TEST
Harry W. Schmoll
[personal testimony]
Stanley YANKEE Parachute Extraction
20th February 1961
IDF / AF
Super Mystère B.2 No. 32 No. 105 Squadron bird strike Sub‑Lt Zvi Umshweif  ejected successfully    
22nd February 1961
USN
Crusader F-8C BuNo 146923 VF-103, CVA-59   Pilot ejected    
23rd February 1961
USN
Crusader F-8C BuNo 146988 VF-124  in US Pilot ejected    
24th February 1961
Neth
Hunter       1st Lt. T. De Jager   Martin-Baker
24th February 1961
USN
Demon        Lt. F. A. Grant   Martin-Baker
9th February 1961
USAF
F‑104A 56‑0761 Edwards AFB, CA, USA lost engine power due to maintenance errors pilot ejected safely   Lockheed
25th February 1961
USAF
F‑89J 53‑2581  123rd FIS OR ANG lost attitude gyro during instrument flight ejected   Northrop
ejected   Northrop

 

   March

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crash / test crew seat photo
1st March 1961
Sweden
Hunter       Flg. Off. B. I. Berglund   Martin-Baker
4th March 1961
USN
Crusader F-8A BuNo 143808 VF-51 in US Pilot ejected    
9th March 1961
USSR
Vostok capsule Vostok 3KA s/n 1 Baikonur Russia Ivan Ivanovich "test mannequin" "ejected" and made successful parachute descent

Chernushka [live dog] landed in the capsule

Zvezda
Vostok
Seat
10th March 1961
Sweden
Hunter       Flg. Off. J.O.Bminan   Martin-Baker
 13th March 1961
USAF
F‑104A 56‑0859  157th FIS SC ANG

engine failure after main fuel control failure, caused loss of power in engine. crashed near Congaree Al SC, USA

pilot ejected safely   Lockheed
 14th March 1961
USAF
B‑52F 57‑0166 4134th SW  nr Yuba City, ran out of fuel; with two nuclear weapons on board , CA, USA crew ejected/bailed out

???????

   
23rd March 1961
RAF
Jet Provost T3 XM347 / 13 2 FTS Engine failure. Crashed at Syerston, Notts student P.O J. B. Fardell ejected.   Martin-Baker
24th March 1961
RAF
Vampire T11 WZ513 8 FTS Collided with RAF Vampire T11 XE944 of 8 FTS during formation loop which crashed near Swinderby S.Lt. L. A. Boyer ejected over Binbrook   Martin-Baker
24th March 1961
RAF 
Vampire T11 XE944 8 FTS Hit by RAF Vampire T11 WZ513 of 8 FTS during formation loop which crashed near Swinderby begin ejection sequence by jettisoning canopy but left it too late to eject   Martin-Baker
25th March 1961
USSR
Vostok capsule Vostok 3KA s/n 2 Baikonur Russia Ivan Ivanovich "test mannequin" "ejected" and made successful parachute descent

Zvezdochka [live dog] landed in the capsule

Zvezda
Vostok
Seat
 27th March 1961
USN
 FJ‑4B 143633 VA‑216 South China Sea pilot ejected safely    
28th March 1961
RAF
 Jet Provost T3 XM477 1 FTS Fire warning  Crashed two miles from Dishforth,
Yorkshire
Mid.Shpm. M.Dugan   Martin-Baker
Flg. Off. A. F. Marshall   Martin-Baker
31st March 1961
USAF
F-100 56-3257 49th TFW/7th TFS engine failure crashed 48 miles west-south-west of Wheelus AB, Libya Pilot ejected safely   NAA

 April  

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crash / test crew photo seat
1st April 1961
USAF
 RF‑101C   38th TRS/66th TRW

 lost control when flight of two aircraft was jumped by French Mirage Ills near Reims, France

pilot ejected safely   Weber

USAF M-D F-101C Voodoo of 66th TRW, 38th TRS at Laon, France. Two F-101C Voodoos were slowing preparing to start down an approach chute from 30,000ft. near Rheims towards Laon in France. Two French Mirage fighters of the l'Armee de l'Air jumped them and the lead F-101 pilot decide to pursue them. In doing so he applied throttle and speed brakes and pitched his aircraft upwards. Despite attemptes to recover the pilot was advised by his wingman to, "Eject!" which he finally did at 10,000ft. He landed about 200 yards from his aircraft.[f-101, p. 122]

1st April 1961
Martin-Baker
none none Chalgrove Chalgrove Doddy Hay ejects from ground rig zero - zero   Martin-Baker
12th April 1961
USSR
Vostok 1 capsule Vostok 3KA s/n 3 Baikonur   Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin ejected after re-entering earth's
atmosphere
Zvezda
Vostok
Seat
 
The reason for this deception was to satisfy the rules of the FAI7, which stated that a pilot had to take off and land in his machine for a record to be officially recognised. If it became known that Gagarin had ejected before touchdown, the Soviets were concerned that his achievement would be wiped from the record books.

But Gagarin certainly did eject, and came down in a field near Smelovaka, not far from Saratov, watched by a woman planting potatoes with her six-year-old daughter. Legend has it that she asked him: 'Have you come from outer space?' after observing his pressure suit8 and space helmet.

Gagarin replied: 'Yes, would you believe it? I certainly have!' He then hastily added: 'I'm Soviet!' as if to reassure the woman that he was not the advance guard of an interplanetary invasion force!

   
17th April 1961
Den
F-86 Sabre       2.LTF.P.T.Horne   Martin-Baker
17th April 1961
Den
F-86 Sabre       2.LTP.Schever-1-men   Martin-Baker
24th April 1961
RAF
Vampire T11 XK584 4 FTS Spin. Crashed on Anglesey, North Wales Flt. Lt.  Winspear   Martin-Baker
P.O Greenland   Martin-Baker
27th April 1961
USMC
Crusader F-8B BuNo 145428 VMF-312, CVA-41, USS Midway   Pilot ejected   Vought ?
28th April 1961
USMC
Crusader F-8A BuNo 145377 VMF-333  in US Pilot ejected   Vought ?
?? April 1961
USAF
M-D F-101C Voodoo   66th TRW, 38th TRS, Laon, France   Pilot ejected 10,000ft.
Landed about 200 yards from his aircraft
  Weber

 May  

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crashed crew photo seat
1st May 1961
USN
Crusader F-8B BuNo 145452 VF-154 in Philippine Islands Pilot ejected    
1st May 1961
USMC
Crusader F-8B BuNo 145427 VMF-312,
CVA-43,
USS Coral Sea
  Pilot ejected    
1st May 1961
USN
Demon       Hamilton   Martin-Baker
2nd May 1961
USN 
Cougar       I.LTP-S.Moore   Martin-Baker
Lt. W.S.Kelly   Martin-Baker

3rd May 1961


USAF

F-100

56-3292

49th TFW

crashed 3.25 miles south-west of Zabrata, Libya

Pilot ejected safely

 

NAA 

3rd May 1961
USMC
Cougar       Capt. J.A.Rogers   Martin-Baker
LTW.J.Smith   Martin-Baker
4th May 1961
RAF
Hunter F6 XG238/F 92 Sqn The aircraft
crashed into the Mediterranean two miles off Pomos Point, Cyprus
pilot F/O J Cleaver reported he was ejecting - never found
he had ejected from a Hunter previously in 1960 also in Cyprus
  Martin-Baker
Hello Mike,
 
I came across your website recently and thought you may be interested in the following:-
May 4th 1961-Hunter F6 XG238/F.
I was on duty in flight operations at RAF Nicosia when this flight was planned and the aircraft and pilot subsequently sadly lost. I seem to recall that this was a test flight
following repairs and I believe that the pilot was F/O J Cleaver who had ejected from a Hunter previously in 1960 - also in Cyprus.
Regards
 
Alan Suckley in email 29th January 2007

 

5th May 1961
RAF
Jet Provost T3 XM469/12
1 FTS
Spin five miles from York MID.SHPC.A.Skillett   Martin-Baker
Flt. Lt. W. A. Langworthy Martin-Baker
5th May 1961
Irish Air Corps
Vampire
T-55
  Baldonnel Entered a spin. Given instructions to bail out over Co. Cavan, and landed safely  
         via Eddie Duggan
 
Comdt. J. B. O'Connor recovered the aircraft and landed aircraft safely at Baldonnel Cadet Ron McPartland ejected Martin-Baker
6th May 1961
USN
Crusader F-8B BuNo 145424 VF-124 in US. Ensign P.D.Farley ejected   Martin-Baker
8th May 1961
USN
F-8 Crusader       Lt. Cdr. P.Montilardi   Martin-Baker
9th May 1961

RAF Hunter 6 XG238. Following engine malfunction pilot radioed intention to eject. Aircraft turned sharply to port and dived into sea. No trace of aircraft or pilot found though inflated dinghy found during search., believed to have separated on impact.

FEEDBACK

Regarding Hunter 6 of 92 Squadron Nicosia May 1961. Although I can not help with the date (you list two) I think everything else is correct.
I was working on this aircraft one day before the accident and spoke to the pilot.
The reason why it was being repaired is that 92 was in Cyprus working up for the display season and XG238 had suffered slight damage to its wing top surface while doing formation areos and contacted another Hunter in the team. This had been fully repaired (I believe) by the local MU.
Best Regards

Phil Hosey

in email 5th February 2006

9th May 1961
Switz
Venom       Sgt. P.Ruggaber   Martin-Baker
9th May 1961
USAF
F‑104C 56‑0885 476th TFS/479th TFW
Moron AB, Spain

horizontal stabilizer power control servo failed, causing stick to lock in full aft position. Aircraft climbed to 35,000 ft, stalled and dove to the ground

 

pilot ejected safely Lockheed  
17th May 1961
Indian A. F.
Toofani(Dassault  Ouragon)
 
IC 870 2 Sqdn
Halwara
While doing aerobatics went into a flat spin and the a/c would not recover Took a decision to abandon at 8000ft F/O  K C Shekhar ejected around 3000ft - no injuries   manual separation
 SNCASO
12th May 1961
Den
F84       Flt Lt. O.M.Nielsen   Martin-Baker
15th May 1961
RAF
Hunter F6 XG188/C 19 Sqn Aircraft spun into the ground near Pocklington, York Flg. Off. P. A .Bacon ejected at
5,000ft
  Martin-Baker
18th May 1961
Sweden
Hunter       P.O. P. G. Nordgren   Martin-Baker
19th May 1961 RAAF Vampire   76(F) Sqn Fire. Crashed at Williamstown, New
South Wales
Plt. Off. K.G. Smith ejected at 1,500ft, 300 mph   Martin-Baker
22nd May 1961
USN
Crusader RF-8A BuNo 146839 VFP-62, CVA-42, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt   Pilot ejected   Martin-Baker
30th May 1961
Nor 
F-86 Sabre       Sgt. Y. Tungesvik   Martin-Baker

   June    

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crash / test crew seat photo
3rd June 1961
Martin-Baker
Ground Test Rig     Le Bourget Doddy Hay ejected at zero - zero. Test site moved from scheduled position and he
landed heavily
[personal testimony]
  Martin-Baker
 3rd June 1961
USN
A4D‑2 142938
WL
 VMA‑311
USS Midway
caught fire 25 M from USS Midway crashed into sea off Japan

pilot ejected safely

  Douglas
5th June 1961
USMC
Skyray       1st Lt. D. E. Auten   Martin-Baker
12th June 1961
USN
Crusader F-8C BuNo 147003 VF-124 in US     Martin-Baker
14th June 1961
USN 
Skyray       Pilot ejected   Martin-Baker
15th June 1961
RAN
Sea Venom FAW.53 WZ927 724 Sqn Nowra Crashed on landing at Nowra Lt. Cdr. C. E. Dorris   Martin-Baker
 15th June 1961
USAF
 F‑104C 56‑0897  476th TFS/479th TFW
Moron AB, Spain
 engine compressor stalled during take‑off nr pilot ejected safely   Lockheed
 18th June 1961
USAF
F‑102A 56‑1060 525th FIS

hydraulic system failure between Badern & Erdorf, 5 NM from Hahn AB, West Germany

pilot ejected safely   Convair
16th June 1961
USN
Demon       Crew ejected
[see 2nd October 1962]
  Martin-Baker
17th June 1961
Den
F84       Flt. Lt. S. B. Henriksen   Martin-Baker

19th June 1961


USAF

F-100

2971

20th TFW/77th TFS

in-flight fire after takeoff from Wethersfield AB Crashed 2.5 miles north-east of Duxford, England

Pilot ejected

 

NAA

22nd June 1961
USN
F-8 Crusader       Pilot ejected safely   Martin-Baker
 26th June 1961
USAF
F‑104C 56‑0923  436th TFS/479th TFW collided with F‑104 57‑0917, Charlottesville, VA, USA

1 pilot killed, 1 ejected - confirmation of who was in which aircraft

  Lockheed
 26th June 1961
USAF
F‑104C  57‑0917 436th TFS/479th TFW collided with F‑104 56‑0923, Charlottesville, VA, USA   Lockheed
28th June 1961
RAF
Lightning F1A XM185/C 111 Sqn Crashed at Lavesham near Wattisham, Suffolk Flg. Off. P. J. Ginger   Martin-Baker
 29th June 1961
USN
 F4H‑1 145314  NATC
NAS Patuxent River

lost control and entered unrecoverable flat spin. Crashed into Atlantic Ocean 50 M SE of NAS Patuxent River, MD, USA

 

pilot ejected safely   McDonnell
29th June 1961
USN
F-8 Crusader       Cdr. C.M. Cruse ejected.   Martin-Baker
?? June 1961
USAF
B-58 Hustler    43rd Bomb Wing, Little Rock, Arkansas

[possible ejections]
USAF B-58 of 43rd Bomb Wing at Little Rock, Arkansas had flown to Le Bourget from an air display at Torrejon AFB, near Madrid. At first it was thought it had collided with other aircraft as there were two distinct fires and many aircraft were in the immediate vicinity.  It appears though the B-58 had undershot the runway, struck the fairly steeply rising ground, bounced and broke in two. It is not clear whether the crew used their rescue capsules to escape or whether they were rescued from the fire.

   July     

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crashed crew photo seat
6th July 1961
USN
Demon   VF-92
NAS Alameda
 San Francisco Bay LTJG Jack D.Bishop   Martin-Baker
FEEDBACK

Jack took off from the westerly heading runway at NAS Alameda and turned left down San Francisco Bay.  A baseball announcer at Candlestick Park in southern San Francisco told the fans that an aircraft was on fire over the bay, so hundreds saw the ejection.
Jack pulled his feet back as the Flight Manual instructed but got a few crushed vertebrae -- because the Manual was out-of-date.  Later we got an updated Manual which said to leave your feet on the rudder pedals.
Zeke Wilson
Cdr USN Ret
I was the VF-92 Squadron Safety Officer investigating this accident -- Turbine Failure.
in email 20th November 2007

11th July 1961
Switz
Venom        Lt. R.Meylan   Martin-Baker
12th July 1961
Italy
F.G91        TEN B.Giuliani   Martin-Baker
15th July 1961