there was a small piece in a local rag recently about a Valiant that crashed in Southwick in sussex in 1956 killing all but the co-pilot who ejected . apparently it hit the railway lines bounced into the air and exploded. The pilot was Kenneth Orman .
Has anyone one anymore info on this crash, ie.. crew names ,which valiant it was and the cause of the crash or where the valiant was going or coming from ,I assume it was based at Wittering but am not sure.There doesnt seem to be much on the web about it .
By: barry flahey - 29th September 2008 at 05:08
There is quite a bit of info on the web now, particularly at http://www.findonvillage.com/0843_a_near_miss_for_findon_in_1956.htm
I was cycling down Manor Hall Road, Southwick, on that day when it impacted. Being a curious brat, and very interested in aircraft, I nipped down the twitten and came across a horrible sight which I have never forgotten.
By: tailslide - 9th July 2003 at 09:52
Many thanks for that info Ray.
By: Ray Pobgee - 8th July 2003 at 23:23
Valiant Crash 1956
WP202 was the sixth production Valiant B1 completed 13/04/1954. At RAF Wittering in July of that year it was inspected by the Duke of Edinburgh. Taken on charge at RAE Farnborough for radio trials via Boscombe Down and Wisley where it was fitted with the Navigation & Bombing System Mk1, it then went on to RAF Gaydon where it was fitted with the Green Satin Doppler Radar by a team from RRE Defford. Whilst flying from RAE Farnborough testing instrument and Radio equipments on 11/05/1956 crashed as stated, near Brighton. Cause not clear but the aircraft had suffered some flying control damage earlier that year
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July 8, 2003 at 11:09 am