Can you i.d.an aircraft type from part numbers?

Hi Ben,

Also one to consider is:

10/10/40
107 Sqn
Blenheim IV
T1881

Hit tree on low flying exercise and flew into the ground at Wicken, Cambridgeshire.

Only some 8 miles or so from where he lived.

Regards
Ross

Wonder what aircrash stuck in his memory for the 80s and led to the confusion.
Regards
Ross

It may have been a case of me misunderstanding him!

The chap i met has lived in “the wilbrahams” for all his life,and as a child spent many an hour watching lysanders,P-47,and P-51 etc.. operating out of Bottisham.

He had some great stories to tell about cycling to aircraft crashes during the war,telling me in great detail the what,where,and whens,involving Spitfire,lysander,wellington,P-51,P-47,sterling,Blenheim IV,a unknown german type,and a V-2.

….while i have some of your attention.

I`m currently cross checking what he had said about a blenheim coming to earth,and the only thing i have come up with is V6383 a MK IV which was abandoned in the general vicinity of Bottisham on 11th Feb 1942,were there any other Blenheim losses in the Wilbraham`s and Bottisham area?

Just trying to put an aircraft ident to the site,and hopfully give the gentleman some further info when i hopefully meet him again tomorrow.

Many Regards,

Ben

Yeah..

It was my feeling that WD981 was the only real candidate.

Canberra’s seemed to come to earth close to their bases rather than all over the shop like the Meteors and Vampires.

Just one comment, the crew did not eject they were ejected!

The Form 1180 says that the canopy came off in flight injuring the pilot. As the Navigators moved forward to assist it is believed that one of them moved the tail actuator switch causing a bunt and throwing them out of the aircraft without their parachutes.

All three (pilot, navigator and nav instructor) were killed.

Wonder what aircrash stuck in his memory for the 80s and led to the confusion.

Regards
Ross

It went down between the villages of Six Mile Bottom and Little Wilbraham,Cambridgeshire.

24/06/54, Canberra B.2 WD981, 231 OCU, crashed 1/2 mile W of Six Mile Bottom, 5 miles E of Cambridge.

Little Wilbraham is indeed just to the west of Six Mile Bottom.

Moggy

According to Broken Wings there were no Canberra accidents in that area in 1955, though there was one in 1954.

24/06/54, Canberra B.2 WD981, 231 OCU, crashed 1/2 mile W of Six Mile Bottom, 5 miles E of Cambridge.
The aircrafts canopy blew off and control was lost, shortly after the aircraft dived into the ground killing the three crew.

I love these ‘detective’ threads 🙂

Moggy

It went down between the villages of Six Mile Bottom and Little Wilbraham,Cambridgeshire.

He also told me the crew ejected.

The only reference to a canberra near to “Six Mile” that i have found is a:
B2 Canberra from RAF Watton that went down across the old A11 during 1955.

4 miles and 30 years out?

So maybe this is the one he is recalling?

Hi Cambridge Flyer,

Bit of a shortage of Cans lost over the UK in the 1980s. Could be why no one remembers it.

What was the suggested location?

Regards
Ross

Mike,
Like I said in my reply, I worked in the aerospace industry at Marshalls and elsewhere for over 50 years as a structural designer. Sadly i can remember every project, and even some of the drawing numbers that I produced. I guess it’s all down to be thoroughly interested in all things aircraft!!
Any more questions? I’ll be glad to help.
Geoff.

Where do you guys get your info from? I thought I was an anorak but you lot make me seem normal 😀 Not that I’m complaining as I’ve used this forum to gather information and everyone who can has chipped in with help.

Thanks for all the information!

Ben.

EEP

Yep EEP is English Electric Preston

ISS A is most likely the issue number of the drawing of that part.
The full drawing number is EA3 identifying the mark of Canberra, 20 is the structural part of the airframe, I think 20 is wing structure, 04028 is the detail drawing number.
EEP 391 is an inspector’s stamp, probably English Electric Preston, 391 being the inspector’s identity.
I worked on Canberra design at Marshalls some 33 years ago, so my memory may be slightly inaccurate. You could try taking the part in to Marshall’s hangars if you really want anymore gen.

Thanks for that the chap did say it was from a canberra which came down during the 1980`s.

I took his info with a pinch of salt as he had told me that the aircraft came down during the 1980`s and, only 5 miles away from where i live, and yet,i and every local person i have spoken to do not remmber this accident!?!?

many regards,
Ben

EA3 is the SBAC code for Canberra B.2.

This doesn’t mean that it is from a B.2 as this item could have been used in any mark of Canberra

Alan