Penfoldsmith
April 21, 2011 at 3:35 pm

Lancaster crewman on wing?

Sorry about the odd thread title.
I am reseraching the crash of Mk 1 Avro Lancster RF124 (LE-S) that went down in Wednesfield on 17 May 1945 with the loss of all seven crewmen.

Today I have visited an eye witness to the event who stated that he is 100% sure that as the aircraft was flying low over houses prior to the impact he saw a crewman lying flat on the port wing. He has also given me contact details for another person who will state the same thing.

Can I ask those that may know, would such a thing be possible? Could a crewman gain access to the port wing from inside the airframe?

As I say, this witness is quite sure/confident of what he saw. :confused:

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By: Penfoldsmith - 24th April 2011 at 19:28

roadracer

Thanks, but seen these links already. PM’s and e-mails already exchanged with the parties involved.

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By: roadracer - 22nd April 2011 at 00:49

Quess what i found?

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/archive/index.php?t-42196.html

Might be worth a pm to Kev ?

And RF124 is mentioned here as well;

http://630forum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4644422

Hope this may be of some help.

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By: Penfoldsmith - 21st April 2011 at 20:48

Gents,

Thanks very much so it IS possible to get out on the wing. If Sgt Norman Jackson VC can do it at 20K feet I’m pretty sure its possible at less than 500 feet. This all adds to the mystery.

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By: benyboy - 21st April 2011 at 16:25

Was he trying to put out a fire similar to this http://www.iwm.org.uk/upload/package/181/sacrifice.html and could he have been holding on to the leading edge air intake.

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By: RetreatingBlade - 21st April 2011 at 16:03

Wing walking

He would have jettisoned the hatch above the w/op position, stood on the main spar and climbed out. No other way onto the wing from inside. Not much to hang on to though. Certainly no convenient handholds on the wing.