And where was it you heard this?

It was actually mentioned at the Air Museum by someone who actually works in the control tower at Cov.

Any connection with the picture you posted of XL319 landing at Sunderland on its delivery flight?

None what so ever! Just used that picture to give a feel of what it my of been like back then in the papers!

I was not aware that Phantom Phixer had already mentioned this in a thread but saying that, how did he get to hear about it? Perhaps it was never printed in the papers because at that time the M.O.D. might not of wanted it printing for secrecy. It may have been on a Top Secret mission for all we know! They have cocked up before and it’s been a long time before the truth has come out about things like this, look at the TSR2 that fell off the back of a low loader not long before it was due to make it’s maiden flight! There is a picture of the incident somewhere.