Canberra losses at Marham 20/09/1954

UPDATE:

The following information regarding the impact on No 35 Squadron aircraft is taken from the squadron’s Operations Record Book

“On Monday 20th September, 2 x 1000lb bombs exploded accidentally some 150 yards from the squadron dispersal and several of the squadron’s aircraft were damaged. The damage to most was very slight but one aircraft WK133 received damage which has entailed placing it CAT3. A piece of shrapnel entered the port lower mainplane skin inboard of rib 6 and ricocheted forward passing through rib 6, the main spar and rib 7, after which it passed through the trailing edge of the aileron. The top skin of the mainplane was slightly buckled along the path of the shrapnel. As a result of this damage, the aircraft needs a complete port mainplane change”

Thanks for all the feedback:

One more to add to the mix: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/57326390

LONDON, September 20. – Eleven Canberra jet bombers, each worth more than £200,000, are believed to have been damaged at Marham R.A.F. station, Norfolk, today by blast and shrapnel from two 1000 lb. bombs which fell from a trolley and exploded. Four men were injured in the double explosion. The chief technician, William Bawley, who was driving the trolley laden with 10 1000 lb bombs, was hurled 30 ft by the blast and injured by flash burns and shrapnel. His condition is serious. More than 20 men were knocked over and dazed. The explosions came as two jet squadrons were loading bombs ready for operation, on hangars, and radio-servicing. Huts were hit by shrapnel and windows over a wide area were blown out. INQUIRY BEGINS An inquiry has begun to find out why the two bombs exploded and if they had been fused accidentally in the bomb dump. The Air Ministry ordered a security blackout on the amount or damage to aircraft and property. Six Canberras are believed to be so badly damaged that they are no longer fit for flying, the “Daily Mail” said.

My understanding is that none of the aircraft were on the strength of No. 35 Squadron, so I have what I need for my history of No. 35 Squadron project.

Regards

Pete

From “Flight Global”

Bomb Accident at Marham
“”THE explosion of two 1,000-lb H.E. bombs on the ground caused damage to eleven parked Canberras at R.A.F. station Marham, Norfolk, on Monday last. The bombs, which were being taken to the aircraft in preparation for an operation in Exercise Morning Mist, rolled off trolleys being towed behind a tractor, and exploded immediately. None of the remaining eight bombs exploded, bur six of the Canberras were subsequently stated to be damaged beyond repair.
Chief Tech W. Bawley, the tractor driver, was critically injured, and subsequently died. Fortunately, there were no other serious casualties. As the bombs would presumably not have been fused before being towed to the aircraft, the cause of the accident is obscure. It may be recalled; however, that similar explosions did take place during World War II.

https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1954/1954%20-%202692.PDF

Pete

A contemporary report in the Aberdeen Journal, September 21st, 1954, includes the following:

An R.A.F. inquiry opened today into the explosion at Marham R.A.F. station, Norfolk, yesterday when two 1000lb bombs fell off a trailer as they were being moved in preparation for an exercise. Chief Technician W. E. Bawley was fatally injured, five airmen were slightly hurt, and ten planes, nine Canberras and one Anson, were damaged.
An Air Ministry spokesman said today that eight of the Canberras can be repaired on the station.
An official at Marham stated that no aircraft had been ‘written off.’

Simon

I’m pretty sure Flight is mistaken. Two, possibly four, Canberras were rendered Cat 3R, but all were later repaired.