October 21, 2009 at 3:36 pm
RAF Duxford March 18th 1953.. Marshall Tito the then dictator of communist Yugoslavia pays a visit to the fighter base and is treated to a display by 24 Meteor F.8’s. During the display two of them collide and crash on open farmland, both pilots are killed.
After leaving school i worked for a farmer who previously had owned land surrounding Duxford airfield to the south and west. Whilst there he gave me a couple of items which he had found on his land during this time, including this piece of pilots headset including earpiece and jack plug. He told me that it had come from one of the pilots helmets of the Meteors that had crashed on his land during Tito’s visit. As i have no idea what flying helmets were worn by RAF crews during this time i have often wondered if this was the case. The part i have is pictured and is marked RECEIVER ANB-H-1 MADE IN USA BY UTAH – CHICAGO.
I know its a somewhat macabre item but if it is from one of the planes mentioned it would be nice to put the pilots names to the story, as well as the planes serial no’s, although which pilot used this particular piece would probably never be known.
Anyone?