Meteor T7 /Vampire T11 crash RAF Leconfield circa 1956/57.

Meteor T7 Crash April 1957 Leconfield

RAF Leconfield at the time was the Fighter Weapons School operating Meteor Mk8’s.
The operational flying was done from Hangers No.1 and No.2 with Hanger No. 3 as the Aircraft Servicing Flight. (ASF). No. 4 hanger housed a few Meteor T7’s used for training, conversions and target towing. Also in that Hanger was an Air Sea Rescue unit with 3 Westland Whilrwind Choppers. Hanger No.5 was used as a base for the M.U. units.

I was a National Service Senior Aircraftesman Flight Mechanic working in ASF at the time. (Civilian Machine Tool Engineer).

It was late in the afternoon when the T7 set off on its training flight with the Pilot and a Leading Aircraftsman on board who had requested a flight.

By the time the T7 returned the Hangers were shutting down for the day and myself and another ‘Bod’ were the only one’s left in Hanger No.3 and we were outside starting to close the hanger doors. Hanger 4 doors were still open awaiting the return of the T7
We watched the T7 approach, and all seemed well at first, then it appeared to be in difficulties and suddenly gained height, turning to port at the same time and passing over the station but clearing all the buildings before disappearing out of site. It crashed in field just off the A164 across from the married quarters.
We, the lower ranks, knew that only one engine of the T7 was running at the time but were never told and never knew whether it was a one engine landing practice run or if it was a flame-out due to and intake of birds.

The Pilot on board was of Flying Officer rank, and the passenger was Leading Aircraftsman Freeman, an armourer mechanic who had only been on the station for a few weeks.
They are both buried side by side in Leconfield Church Cemetary.
LAC Freeman was from the Spen Valley area of the West Riding of Yorkshire very close to where I lived. I have come across members of his family from time to time since then and talked of things.

I hope some useful information is found in this rather long reply.

Many thanks for the information Alan, very much appreciated and passed onto Jim Jamieson with thanks.

Phil Rhodes

The only aircraft from that time period where Leconfield is mentioned specifically and there were two crew killed is Meteor T. Mk.7 WL410, 12-4-1957. Dived into the ground during single engine flying.

Source: Broken Wings, J.J. Halley.