The story of Gaston Riggs crash in a P51B Mustang at Heston has been covered before on the forum. There is now a campaign to have a memorial plaque placed in the area of his crash, the actual crash site is now covered by the M4 motorway, on the 70th Anniversary.
Details here of campaign here….
http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/campaign-memorial-heroic-ww2-fighter-8356013
In February 1945, an American fighter plane, soon after take off from Heston, had an engine problem and tried to land but the wing tip hit the corner of the farmhouse virtually destroying the workshop. No one in the house was hurt but the fighter pilot died in the crash. It was a P-51B, a/c sn 43-6785, flown by 1st Lt. Gaston Riggs on an approach to Heston from Fowlmere; one report mentions that it happened during an engine failure on takeoff and that a wingtip caught the house as Lt. Riggs tried to return to the base. As a result of the damage, 91 North Hyde Lane, Heston, had to be demolished.
By: victor tango - 28th February 2015 at 17:32
I am a volunteer database operative for War Memorials Trust. Please could you folks post as much info about this memorial as possible.
Then I will enter it into the Imperial War Museums National Inventory. Unless anyone has any objections ?.
Of course I will also check with:
[email]colinbear@btinternet.com[/email].
By: David_Kavangh - 28th February 2015 at 00:48
Pleased to see Keith will be keeping an eye on the wreath. Clearly you’d not want to mess with this guy!
By: longshot - 27th February 2015 at 17:08
Riggs headstone in Houston
Wreath, Heston, 26Feb2015, with Keith (ex British Army, Barbados Army and Police) who lives overlooking the crash site
By: longshot - 26th February 2015 at 09:55
Sorry about short notice but I had to be sure I could get to Heston…note ALTERATION … wreath laying is by Park Entrance, Southeast end of M4 bridge, noon today.
Re permanent memorial, we’re looking into a sponsored tree (which would include a modest plaque)
By: David_Kavangh - 26th February 2015 at 08:19
Sadly I can’t make it. this was a story I grew up with having lived nearby as a kid.
How is the campaign for the permanent memorial going?
By: longshot - 26th February 2015 at 08:02
A wreath will be laid at noon today near the crash-site of Gaston Riggs P-51 Mustang at the north-east end of the M4 bridge, intersection of North Hyde Lane and Fern Lane
EDIT DUE TO UNSUITABILITY OF NORTHEAST END OF M4 BRIDGE THE WREATH WILL BE LAID AT THE SOUTHEAST END INTERSECTION NORTH HYDE LANE/HESTON GRANGE LANE/HESTON PARK ENTRANCE
By: longshot - 30th December 2014 at 15:03
AFAIK Lt. Riggs was on a training flight from Fowlmere, had engine trouble at altitude within sight of Heathrow (under construction), attempted an emergency landing at Heston but crashed short on Grange Farm hitting the farmhouse at 91 North Hyde Lane. Riggs was extricated by passers-by and a police officer from Heston but was DoA at W. Middlesex Hospital. His wingman, who filed a report, landed at Northolt. The damaged house stood for several years post-war, site now under the M4. (AFAIK no take-off from Heston involved)
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December 29, 2014 at 4:20 pm