Hi guys,
I’m looking for information about the demise of Lancaster W4239 of 97 Sqn on the night of 31st October 1942. My fathers uncle, RAFVR Sgt Donald Francis (No 1315446) and Nav Sgt Matthams died of their injuries the next day.
The story that was related to me is that the aircraft was being flown “like a fighter” a the time of the accident, which seems odd to me, as I think this was supposed to be a night training excercise. Perhaps someone has information or pointers in the right direction to help find out what happened.
Also if anyone has photos of aircraft or crew to share I would be most grateful.
Information so far courtesy of the 97 Sqn Association website:
One of the night exercise aircraft, W4239, crashed just outside the aerodrome for reasons unknown.
The navigator, Sgt Matthams (Aus) and the air bomber, Sgt Francis 1315446(RAFVR) were both badly injured and died shortly after in Sick Quarters, Coningsby.
Sgt McLeod (pilot) is on the SI list and Sgts Starkie and Dykes are injured at Rauceby.
Sgt Guy (W/Op) escaped with minor cuts.
The aircraft was completely broken up.
The aircraft was based at Woodhall Spa, callsign unknown, although the Sqn code is shown as OF-?.
Many Thanks
Si
By: S-8 - 5th November 2012 at 21:35
Revisiting an old thread
Hi Guys
Last Wednesday was the 70th anniversary of the crash I have been researching. A visit was in order and after seeing Just Jane and the Memorial Flight I placed my poppy cross at the edge of Ostler’s plantation overlooking what was once the north end of the Woodhall Spa main runway.
I now have the accident forms from Hendon and Kew which show that a broken oil pipe was the cause of the propeller feathering. Does anyone know if Rolls Royce have a research section where they may have accident investigation reports regarding the engines (I have the engine numbers)?
Thanks
Si
By: S-8 - 1st September 2008 at 00:02
Thanks Kev,I’ll do a bit further digging on that.
More from 97 Sqn Association reveals:
No1 AGS then to 106 Conversion Flight then to 1660 HCU then to 97 Sqn all within about 3 months.
Cheers
Si
By: kev35 - 31st August 2008 at 21:43
Si.
It may still be possible to obtain your Father’s Uncle’s Service Record providing you can find a close enough link in the family to be next of kin.
Regarding 97 Squadron, I believe that 97 Squadron had a “C” Flight in the latter half of 1942 which acted as a conversion flight for crews arriving from OTU. Probably doesn’t help you though. I only mention it because a crew I am interested in were posted to 97 in March 42 but didn’t fly their first operation till several months later. My understanding is that this conversation flight later left 97 Squadron to become a Heavy Conversion unit in its own right.
Regards,
kev35
By: S-8 - 31st August 2008 at 20:31
Thanks for that Max, will have to try other avenues!:confused:
Cheers
Si
By: ME453 - 31st August 2008 at 13:50
No Si, they don’t exist in digitised form, and it’s next to impossible to get anything similar out of the MoD. Many researchers have been frustrated by the MoD’s intransigence.
Regards
Max
By: S-8 - 31st August 2008 at 13:00
Hi Guys
As an aside to this, I have been reading digitised forms on the Australian archives regarding Sgt Matthams. These give correspondances between RAF and RAAF sections and the Matthams family.
Does anyone know if such digitsed forms exist for RAF crew on the UK archive site?
Cheers
Si
By: Smith - 23rd August 2008 at 08:18
S-8 I have no idea about things like that. But thinking about it, I would imagine either could be the case. In my (non-aeronautic) experience, something adjustable can be adjusted and adjust itself through mechanical failure :rolleyes:
Someone here should know this about Lancs.
By: S-8 - 22nd August 2008 at 08:38
Hi Smith
Thanks very much for that…a website I had not seen before!
Interesting to see that a possible cause of the crash was the movement of the prop. Is it possible that this could have been knocked out of coarse pitch from inside the cockpit or is this down to straight mechanical failiure?
Cheers
Si
By: Smith - 22nd August 2008 at 03:41
Lost Bombers
from Lost Bombers one of the first places to look
“Serial Range W4102 – W4700 This aircraft was one of 450 Manchesters ordered from A.V.Roe (Chadderton) Jan40 of which the last 207 were built as Lancaster Mk.1s delivered from Jul42 to Nov42 initially fitted with Merlin 20 engines. W4239 was delivered to No.9 Sqdn 30Sep42, joining No.97 Sqdn 28Oct42. W4239 took part in the following Key Operations: With No.9 Sqdn as WS-T, Osnabr_ck 6/7Oct42; Milan 24Oct42-Daylight. No operations with No.97 Sqdn. Crashed in the Woodhall Spa circuit, while trying to land at the end of a Bullseye flight. The accident was attributed to the outer port propeller coming out of coarse pitch and overspeeding. No casualties reported or the condition of the aircraft. Sgt W.MacLeod. “
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August 22, 2008 at 12:22 am