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Crash of Hampden AE 116 at Waddington.

I posted this query on another forum but to no avail. I am hopeful that I can get answers to my questions here.

In the early hours of September 3rd 1941, 50 Squadron Hampden AE 116 crashed at Waddington after running out of fuel. The crew had been on a mine laying operation to Copenhagen harbour.

Following the crash AE 116 was categorized as R(b) (Beyond repair on site). It was eventually struck of charge in 1944.

I am interested in seeing either a crash or accident report for this occurrence. I am requesting the help of the forum in the hope that someone can point me in the right direction to obtain one.

This was an interesting night for 50 Squadron. In addition to Hampden AE 116 crashing at Waddington, Hampden AE 157 crashed at the same airfield after also returning from mining Copenhagen Harbour.
In addition to mining the waters of Copenhagen 50 Squadron also sent aircraft to Berlin. Three of these aircraft crashed on returning to England.
AE 305 piloted by F/S Titcombe crash landed in Norfolk and X 2919 with Sgt. Mudd at the controls crash landed in Cambridgeshire between Wittering and Wansford while attempting to reach Wittering. P/O Waddell and crew in Hampden AE 250 ran out of fuel trying to reach Cottesmore
Both of the crashes at Waddington and those piloted by Titcombe, Mudd and Waddell were due to the aircraft running out of fuel after in excess of 9 hours in the air. There were only minor injuries to Mudd and another of his crew members.
In his career at 50 Squadron Sgt. Mudd was at the controls of 5 Hampdens that crashed. Apparently in addition to X 2919 Mudd was the pilot of AE229, AE394, L4120 and P4314 when they were lost.

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By: David Layne - 30th November 2010 at 18:22

That’s a completly new shot to me! Thanks for putting it up.

See also this thread.

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1669970#post1669970

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By: GrahamSimons - 30th November 2010 at 16:11

You mean this one?

We used it in the 80th Anniversary book ‘For Faith or Freedom’ we produced for the station.

We never were able to figgure out if the serial was 115 or 116.

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By: David Layne - 30th November 2010 at 01:14

Thanks critter592. Here’s what I got from Hendon.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/Page1_Page_1.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/Page1_Page_2.jpg

On arrival at Waddington the starboard engine cut out and a one engine circuit of the airfield was made. Mist prevented the aerodrome from being seen and the aircraft made a forced landing in a ploughed field going through a fence in the process. Fortunately without injury to the crew. It was later determined that the fuel gauges were inaccurate.
At this time the pilot, P/O Carter had a total of 140 flying hours, 46 of those being night and 39 hours on Hampdens. On this operational flying time of 9.35 hours was logged by the crew.

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By: David Layne - 26th September 2010 at 05:29

Many thanks, I have e mailed Hendon and await their reply.

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By: critter592 - 25th September 2010 at 14:46

David, I’ve updated the link. It should work now! :rolleyes::)

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By: David Layne - 25th September 2010 at 07:11

Thanks for the suggestion Don. Unfortunatly the direct link does not seem to work.

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By: critter592 - 24th September 2010 at 13:02

You could try contacting the RAF Museum to obtain copies of the AM Form 1180 for those aircraft.

Department of Research & Information Service: [email]research@rafmuseum.org[/email]

HTH,

Don

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