Wellesbourne Mountford was laid with three runways in the standard A-configuration. A shortish East-West runway now disused. The longest was a SW-NE runway aligned to the prevailing wind with flat approaches of which 650m is still operational. Finally a slightly shorter N-S runway the most of which remains operational today.
However it is this runway on a southerly departure that makes its location less than ideal. Wellesbourne Wood is situated on a small ridge line that rises just to the South of the airfield. The change in elevation is something like a difference of 200ft in half a mile. An EFATO (engine failure after takeoff) or botched mass/balance could therefore lead to literally a “sticky” end.
I have been told that at least one Wellington met this fate during the airfield’s short history as an active RAF station.
Perhaps someone with the relevant books can help? I keep meaning to ask the Museum but they are only open Sundays.
By: Whitley_Project - 13th January 2008 at 21:13
Yes, speaking with members of the museum all the remaining Whitley and Wellington parts were removed. Some of the prop blades from this Whitley can be seen on display at the Midland Air Museum.
By: Box Brownie - 13th January 2008 at 13:22
The Whitley was on a nav ex and returning to Long Marston – very low – hit a large bank of the Avon( some two miles from Wellesbourne) The wreckage tumbled down into the river, almost at the same spot as a Wellington, some remains of which were salvaged in the early eighties.
By: Whitley_Project - 13th January 2008 at 13:12
There was a Whitley that flew into a riverbank in the vicinity – i’m not sure if it had just taken off or was on a navex.
By: Box Brownie - 13th January 2008 at 12:29
If I may offer some info – the hampden crashed two miles from the airfield
Apart from the Wellington mentioned above, the hill did not claim any other a/c. The operational record book for 22 OTU contains the following poem:
The versatile runway
There is the sound of aviodomy by night,
When Wellesbourne’s Wimpeys in reluctant flight
Pass o’er the King’s Head; Ah! the natives say
‘The runway for tonight is B to A.
The C-D runway bears on Wellesbourne House
And you should hear the Flight Commanders grouse
‘The wind is light; that runway’s short,’ they say
So kindly lay the flarepath B to A.
The E-F runway faces up a hill,
A sight that makes most pilots quite ill,
And so, unless a gale blows down that way
We leave the dammed old runway B to A.
Blue Robin, if you care to PM me you are welcome to come over and see the many photos, log book copies and letters from veterans who served at Wellesbourne in WW11
By: Peter Clare - 13th January 2008 at 11:08
26 June 1941.
22 OTU.
Wellington IC R1586
Op: Training.
Crew.
Sgt. T L. Kirk RCAF +
Sgt. F J. Venn RCAF +
Sgt. D R. White RCAF +
F/S. A. Bush +
Sgt. J G. Smithson +
Took off Wellesbourne Mountford for a night circuit practice. Lost power and it is believed the bomber stalled while trying to avoid trees, crashing 0210 near Loxley 4 miles ESE fron Stratford – upon – Avon, Warwickshire. Four, the three Canadians and F/s Bush are buried in Stratford – upon – Avon Cemetery, while Sgt Smithson was taken to Chapel Allerton (St. Matthew) Old Churchyard, Leeds.
Bomber Command Losses Vol 7. W R. Chorley.
Regards
Peter.
By: wieesso - 13th January 2008 at 10:53
…maybe here’s an answer…
‘On the 26th June 1941, Wellesbourne had its first fatal accident when Wellington R1586, unable to maintain height due to an engine problem…’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/54/a4376054.shtml
Martin
By: Peter Clare - 13th January 2008 at 10:53
Hampden P2083 Information
Type Hampden
Serial Number P2083
Squadron 106
X1D ZN-?
Operation Gardening
Date 1 26th May 1941
Date 2 27th May 1941
Further Information
“Serial Range P2062 – P2100. 39 HP52 Hampden Mk.B.1.. Part of a batch of 75 Hampden B.1. P2062-P2100; P2110-P2145, of which:- P2064; P2065; P2067; P2078; P2080; P2084; P2095; P2113; P2119; P2126 were converted to Hampden TB (Torpedo Bomber). Delivered by The English Electric Co. (Preston) between Feb40 and Jul40. After the ‘L’ and ‘N’ serial numbers, which were mainly allocated before the outbreak of hostilities, serial numbers do not run continuously as small groups of numbers were deliberately omitted. The object of this subterfuge was to confuse the enemy in regard to the actual number of aircraft being built. Issued initially to No.106 Sqdn, was detached to No.5 Group Training Flight before returning to 106 Sqdn. Airborne 2240 26May41 from Coningsby for a mining operation off Brest (Jellyfish Region). Ran short of fuel on the return and crashed heavily while trying to land at Wellesbourne Mountford airfield, Warwickshire. Sgt L.A.Forty KIA Sgt A.Wood Inj Sgt N.G.Lines Inj Sgt R.Thompson Inj ”
Cannot find anything concerning a Wellington at this time, I’ll keep looking.
Regards
Peter
By: Peter Clare - 13th January 2008 at 10:50
Halifax NA509 Information
Type Halifax
Serial Number NA509
Squadron 420
X1D PT-V
Operation Essen
Date 1 23rd October 1944
Date 2 23rd October 1944
Further Information
“Serial Range NA492 – NA531. 40 halifax Mk.111. Part of a batch of 180 HP61 halifax Mk.B.111. NA492-NA531; NA543- NA587; NA599-NA644; NA656-NA704. Delivered by Fairey Aviation (Stockport) between 18Apr44 and 2Jun44. NA509 was initially issued to No.102 Sqdn. Airborne 1618 23Oct44 from Tholthorpe. Bombed at 1937 hrs from 18,000 feet. Diverted to Wellesbourne Mountford, Warwickshire, landing here at 2034. On touch down the Halifax swung to port and came to rest with major damage to the undercarriage, starboard wing and alierons. No crew injuried, but the Halifax was damaged beyond repair. F/O S.A.Young RCAF Sgt B.D.Morgan F/O N.Salkovitch RCAF F/O R.H.McManus RCAF Sgt A.J.Williams RCAF F/S W.N.Irwin RCAF F/S J.B.Patterson RCAF “
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January 13, 2008 at 10:34 am