I have researched a little further and with the help of fellow members I now have further information of the sad event that followed the crash of Lincoln RF343 of 61 squadron alongside the newly built NCO married quarters at RAF Waddington. On the 3 September 1952, attempting a 3 engined overshoot the Lincoln piloted by Flying Officer Frank Hercliff experienced an
uncontrollable swing and only achieved an airspeed of 80 knots resulting in narrowly missing the MQs and crashing into a nearby rubbish dump and the aircraft slewed around 180 degrees. Luckily all the crew escaped unharmed with only minor injuries.
The aircraft remained on the dump but sadly a couple of days later when 2 small boys had entered the partly burned aircraft to play after guards had been removed they managed to set off some pyrotechnics believed to be verey cartridges which ignited the fuel tanks creating a large explosion which led to the death of one of the boys who was a pupil at nearby Bracebridge Heath Primary school. One of the first on the scene was a Lincoln navigator M/Nav Arthur Collins and myself, Roger aged 6 y.o. Shortly afterwards the emergency crews arrived but sadly too late to save the young boy.
Does anyone have any further information on this sad event?
By: rogcoll - 30th April 2020 at 14:06
Here is the photograph of Avro Lincoln RF 343 burning in the station rubbish dump after
being set light by the two young boys from Bracebridge Heath School who perished in the accident.
So sad as I was there with my father M/Nav Arthur Collins who was also a Lincoln and B29 Washington navigator, whilst taking our dog for a walk and witnessed the explosion.
By: Papa Lima - 5th December 2011 at 09:32
Hello rogcoll!
I lived at 98 AMQ and started my schooling in those Nissen huts (remember reciting the times table from 2 x 2 to 12 x12 at the start of every school day?). I don’t know why I changed schools, so instead of walking each day I took the bus to school at Bracebridge Heath with many other children. Were you at Waddington when the Yanks came with their B-50s? That was the best Christmas ever, they were so generous and held a huge party for us children living on the airfield. I expect your Dad knew mine. We should continue by E-mail or PM; I would like to meet you one day.
By: rogcoll - 5th December 2011 at 09:11
Lincoln RF343 crash RAF Waddington 3 Sept 1952
Papa Lima It was so interesting to read your account of this tragedy.
You and I must have lived in MQs the same time at RAF Waddington.
Sadly, I remember seeing your classmate and his friend when my father and I
ran to the site. My father was a navigator on Avro Lincoln with 61 squadron. I see you went to Bracebridge Primary but for reasons best known I was educated in a couple of Nissan huts called RAF Waddington Primary school opposite the main guardroom. Interesting to see you are in Gothenburg Sweden just across the water from me on the island of Tromoya south Norway.
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November 15, 2011 at 4:51 pm