A local Gravestone records the death of PO Andrew Anderson aged 26 who died in an aircraft accident at Leuchars.
He was a School Teacher also in the Royal Auxilary Air Force and was found dead in a field at Newport Fife. An suggestions as to where I can find out what unit it was and the circumstances of the accident. the death certificate gives basic information only.
By: Robert Whitton - 8th June 2013 at 16:55
Many thanks.
“Glasgow’s Own” by Dugald Cameron Confirms that VW438 was a 602 machine delivered 16-4-1951 and also that he was caught by an East Coast Harr. Much like today where the haar is sitting across the mouth of the Forth.
603 was at Leuchars as Edinburgh Turnhouse’s runway was being extended to enable Vampires to land. Although they had received 3 Vampires at Leuchars and perhaps the Meteor had been borrowed from 602 to assist with conversion training as their own Meteors arrived around July
By: Gin Ye Daur - 8th June 2013 at 13:46
Last Take Off My Cummings confirms Anderson in Meteot T7 VW438 of 602 Sqn on June 23rd 1951
‘The Greatest Squadron of them all’ the definitive history of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron RauxAF, (Ross/Blanche/Simpson), Vol 2, page 310, indeed states Meteor T7, VW438 and the incident described above. The aircraft may have been a or indeed was a 602 machine but, P/O Anderson is one of Edinburgh’s sons. He was buried with full military honours on 26th June 1951 in his home town of Currie, Fife. The Squadron (603) provided escort and firing party. His name appears both in the afore mentioned tome and on the 603 Roll of Honour in the Canongate Kirk Edinburgh.
As a postscript, the name above P/O Anderson on the roll of honour, is that of F/O J Mears who, tragically died in similar flying incident in March 1949.
Regards,
Martyn
GYD
By: paulmcmillan - 8th June 2013 at 12:52
Last Take Off My Cummings confirms Anderson in Meteot T7 VW438 of 602 Sqn on June 23rd 1951
By: Gin Ye Daur - 8th June 2013 at 12:22
Just had a deeper delve into the Archive!
P/O Anderson was a teacher by profession and had served as a pilot during WW2 and this tragedy happened on his first solo flight in a jet. He took of in perfect weather but, failed to reply to a recall to base as the fog appeared and covered the airfield in a layer of low stratus cloud. When he did return, he attempted a ground controlled approach but, was unsuccessful and eventually ran out of fuel. The aircraft came down among the trees at Inverdovat Farm near Newport.
Hope that’s of some help?
Regards,
Martyn
GYD
By: Gin Ye Daur - 8th June 2013 at 11:52
‘Broken Wings’ by J J Halley has this, which looks like your chap:
Meteor T.7 VW438, 602 Sqn, ran out of fuel and hit trees in forced landing in sea fog, Newport, Fife, 23rd June 1951.
Regards
Simon
Hi Simon, Robert,
Not wishing to nit-pick but, P/O Anderson was a member of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron RAuxAF, not 602 (City of Glasgow). There is a ‘gentlemanly’ rivalry between the two squadrons, goes back a long way, possibly due to an incident on the 16 October 1939 but, that’s another story……..
Regards,
Martyn
GYD
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th June 2013 at 10:10
‘Broken Wings’ by J J Halley has this, which looks like your chap:
Meteor T.7 VW438, 602 Sqn, ran out of fuel and hit trees in forced landing in sea fog, Newport, Fife, 23rd June 1951.
Regards
Simon
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June 8, 2013 at 9:28 am