Can some of you wise owls on here come up with the potted history of Handley Page Hampden P1271 All I know is that it broke up in flight on the 8th of October 1940 in Gloucestershire while on charge with 16 OTU
What I’m particulary after would be the approximate building date and who build it (Handley Page or a contract).
Also if anyone has any information on one F/Lt. Jeff, who was with 16 OTU in september 1940, it will be gratefully received. I know this is not a lot to build on, but the only thing I know.
The reason I need this information is to write a small article about the first flight of a multi engine land aircraft to Iceland.
By: galdri - 26th December 2004 at 23:23
Just consulted Bomber Command Losses vol 7 – OTU Losses:
Crew was P/O AF Jefferys, Sgt JD Shiels, SGT RT Bowtell, and Sgt RAW Keeling.
Could Jefferys be the Jeff you are looking for?Flood
The more I think about it, the less likely I find it. The Hampden flight to Iceland was a ‘communication’ flight, presumably with mail and/or spares for 98 squadron that had arrived at Kaldaðarnes a week earlier. Flt Lt Jeff would presumably have been an instructor with 16 OTU, as sending a trainee on such a mission would not have been very wise 😮
When an aircraft brakes up during instrument exercises it is USUALLY due to loss of contol. Somehow, I find it hard to believe that a member of a training unit, presumably an instructor, that is trusted enough to make a flight to Iceland, looses control on a normal instrument exercise. Something is amiss here!
Can someone tell me if ‘Jeff’ would have been used as a surname in the UK at the time?
Or even more to the point, where would I find records of personel on charge with 16 OTU at the time? I know I could probably go to PRO, but I’m a bit challanged by the distances involved 😮
By: galdri - 22nd December 2004 at 23:15
Well, this is the best match I’ve got yet.
Jeff could very well be short for Jefferys. The rank is however a bit of a problem. This ‘Jeff’ is said to be a Flight Lieutenant, and Pilot Officer is two ranks lower. This information is however taken from the ORB of 98 squadron which was based at Kaldaðarnes where they landed. As ‘Jeff’ was not part of that unit, and only stopped for a couple of days, it is possible that the rank, and real name of the guy came adrift. What do you think?
By: Flood - 22nd December 2004 at 22:42
Just consulted Bomber Command Losses vol 7 – OTU Losses:
Crew was P/O AF Jefferys, Sgt JD Shiels, SGT RT Bowtell, and Sgt RAW Keeling.
Could Jefferys be the Jeff you are looking for?
Flood
By: galdri - 22nd December 2004 at 19:39
Thank you very much for that Flood. Just the information I needed. I knew you guys wouldn’t let me down. 😉 😀 😀
Now for F/Lt Jeff. Does anyone have a lead on him?
By: Flood - 22nd December 2004 at 18:44
Oh, and it broke up at 12:30hrs over Highnam, 3 miles west of Gloucester, whilst instrument flying, killing four. Cat. W (destroyed, write off).
Info from The Handley Page Hampden & Hereford Crash Log.
Flood
By: Flood - 22nd December 2004 at 18:40
P1271 was one of 200 Hampdens delivered between June 1939 and February 1940 by Handley Page, Radlett, to Contract No. 773239/38.
Info from Air Britains RAF Aircraft P1000-R9999.
Flood
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December 22, 2004 at 6:10 pm