RAFM Hampden

I suspect that a change in direction at RAFM has prompted a change in direction for the project.

Good thing too.

Bruce

The new boss does seem to be much more positive than I’d seen previously

None of the information you guys posted after my remarks is on that page of the website, no reference to graves being lost, or wreckage recovered by a third party.
IF that HAD been on the website, I wouldn’t have made the remarks. The tone is that the wreckage alone was recovered.
P1344 may be a testament to the men who flew and died in Hampdens, but there was no reference to any effort to locate the crew graves.
Sorry, but my view is that the men are as worthy as the aircraft and that isn’t evident on the information posted.
OK, and my bad geography in assuming the aircraft came down in Norwegian territory.
So, let’s end on a seasonal greeting. I’ve said my piece. You obviously know more than is available on the RAFM website, so thanks for that. HNY

No worries Icare… This is a very well known, and publicized recovery though, which is perhaps why the whole story was not written up in this particular piece. A quick google should have given you the information you were looking for. You were right to be concerned about the crew though. People
are immesurably more important than machines. Happy new year to you too… and Merry Christmas as well.

Cheers,
Richard

None of the information you guys posted after my remarks is on that page of the website, no reference to graves being lost, or wreckage recovered by a third party.
IF that HAD been on the website, I wouldn’t have made the remarks. The tone is that the wreckage alone was recovered.
P1344 may be a testament to the men who flew and died in Hampdens, but there was no reference to any effort to locate the crew graves.
Sorry, but my view is that the men are as worthy as the aircraft and that isn’t evident on the information posted.
OK, and my bad geography in assuming the aircraft came down in Norwegian territory.
So, let’s end on a seasonal greeting. I’ve said my piece. You obviously know more than is available on the RAFM website, so thanks for that. HNY

Hampden

Interesting to see. Will have to do an article on her one day as well as 144/455Sqn (already loads of log books and photos from when she was recovered). – perhaps 2012 – 70th Anniversary.

I think P1344 was one of two Hampdens that tried to land at the luftwaffe base at Petsamo, mistaking it for Veanga (Warmalova). I would image that the bodies were buried near the wreckage – being shot down 14miles SSW from Petsamo. (Somewhere I have a letter from the pilot(family) and the ground crew member.) Will have to dig it out.

The units went as a deterrant with regards the Arctic convoy and the Tirpitz.

One of the other Hampdens lost was a 455Sqn – flown by S/Ldr Catanach and force landed at Vasdo,Hampden AT109 was returned to Germany. Catnach was one of the Great Escapees executed.

One force landed in a lake outside Polyarni, unfortunately it was recovered (as otherwise a complte example would be in existence) – fortunatley it was lifted as one of the gunners perished.

Will have to go and look at her at some stage.

regards

Mark

I wonder if the parts in the process of being obtained by the RAF Museum from Canada originated with David Maude, as I gather he’s got an extensive collection of Hampden wreckage. Anyone know?

Cheers,
Richard

I suspect that a change in direction at RAFM has prompted a change in direction for the project.

Good thing too.

Bruce

..and perhaps, in some small way, those of us who made our views and hopes for a full restoration known at the MBCC open days over the past couple of years.

I suspect that a change in direction at RAFM has prompted a change in direction for the project.

Good thing too.

Bruce

Do they know for sure that the crew were buried close by the aircraft??

Don’t blame the RAFM – as pointed out the Hampden was recovered by a private individual. I spoke to the son of one of the missing crewmen some years ago – I can assure you there were no hard feelings and he was delighted his dads Hampden had been located.

The restoration has been ongoing and this was a “long-term” project. Perhaps a change in direction on this particular project has prompted a new or revised management plan.

I think the comments you left on the site are a bit unfair Kevin. I would think any issues regarding the crew are best dealt with by the MoD.

Well spotted jeepman….
What a pity that it appears people were more concerned with recovering the wreckage than the 3 crew. Doesn’t say much for the modern RAF “care” does it?
and what’s with ? Surely that should be an initial stage, not halfway through the process!
I do despair at modern technobabble and business speak, no wonder they lost sight of the human side of the crash…….

Was it not initially recovered by a Canadian airline pilot ? then swapped a year later for a Spitfire airframe from the RAF?

I’m sure your comments on their website are quite motivational for the team restoring this aircraft.

more here:

http://www.aircraftconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/1994-1340-A-HP-Hampden-P1344.pdf

Well spotted jeepman….
What a pity that it appears people were more concerned with recovering the wreckage than the 3 crew. Doesn’t say much for the modern RAF “care” does it?

Given the three deceased crew members had been buried for nearly 50 years when the wreck was rediscovered not sure what you have taken offence at?

Taken from the same website –

“Plt Off Perry was also taken as a POW; the three dead crewmembers –
Sgts Garrity, Miller and Robertson, were buried locally but the graves
were `lost’ by the Russian authorities and their names are list on the
Runneymede memorial by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.”

Jon

Well spotted jeepman….
What a pity that it appears people were more concerned with recovering the wreckage than the 3 crew. Doesn’t say much for the modern RAF “care” does it?
and what’s with

Things being looked into include a Management Plan which will establish an end date for the project

? Surely that should be an initial stage, not halfway through the process!
I do despair at modern technobabble and business speak, no wonder they lost sight of the human side of the crash…….