After the wonderful response in information and photographs for the Varsity on another forum can I appeal for information/anecdotes on another forgotten aircraft the Valetta. Used successfully in Malaya and then training RAF navigators. My father had the misfortune to crash and survive the only T.4(long nosed version) at 228 OCU RAF Leeming in 1959. Apart from a book by the late Bill Overton and monographs,very little has been seen in print on this aircraft.
By: Arabella-Cox - 28th May 2009 at 10:43
A fine man,
Jim
By: T-21 - 27th May 2009 at 20:24
Hello Jim,
That person who gave his chute was John Quinton a famous Mosquito navigator on 264 Squadron . He sacrificed his own life by giving his parachute to save an ATC cadet’s life when his 228 OCU Wellington Mk.18, PG367 was in collision with a Martinet NR570 over Hudswell,near Richmond, North Yorkshire on 13 Aug 1951. His name is perpetuated in Halton’s Quinton Trophy awarded to the best ex-ATC cadet graduating from the Aircraft Apprentice School.
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th May 2009 at 11:44
Hello T-21,
That must have been “E”, VW188 (VX188 was never allocated). I saw it at Leeming 17 Feb 1958 but never flew in it.It’s full history was:
Delivered: 16.3.49.
Iraq Comm. Flight: 6.50 – 9.54.
Aden Comm. Flight: 11.54 – 9.55.
228 OCU: coded E 2.57 – 3.59.
CNCS: coded X 1960.
CATCS: 1.63 – 12.63.
soc 17.11.67.
The aircrews were a great bunch at Leeming at this time. I remember going out to the aircraft on my first flight with them when someone noticed I didn’t have a parachute. Panic!!! I was saved when the CO dashed into his office, grabbed his own parachute and thrust it and associated webbing and me into the waiting transport.It was only months later that I realised why there’d been such a panic and insistence on me having a parachute. It seems that a few years earlier another ATC cadet had flown with them when they were using Wellingtons. A problem had occurred (I think an air to air collision) and everyone had to bail out. Only the cadet had no parachute! A brave crew member had given the lad his own parachute and then pushed him out. I believe he received a posthumous George Cross for that.
Jim
By: Worcs Aviation - 25th May 2009 at 20:34
Hi,
I am in the process of copying a 33 Sqd album including shots taken in Malaya, I think there is a good picture of a crashed Valleta in there, not sure if a serial can be made out but someone here may have a list of losses over there that could narrow it down, oh and there’s a few good Hornet pics as well for all you fans!
Ant.
By: T-21 - 25th May 2009 at 20:31
Hello Jim,
My father was Flt/Sgt Jim Perry and was current on the Valetta C.1 & T.4,Meteor NF.14,DH Chipmunk and later the Canberra T.11 at 228 OCU 1957-1961. One of the Valetta C.1 was VX188 which he flew again at CNCS ,Shawbury 1962-3.
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th May 2009 at 19:40
I wonder if I flew with your father T-21. I cadged a couple of flights in Valettas (T4 and C1) at Leeming in early 1958.Great days!
Jim
By: keithnewsome - 25th May 2009 at 18:59
For those who missed it, there is an interesting tale of the means of transport used to reach a downed Valetta in Sarawak, 1953 It’s in a thread I started some time ago ! Look in page 11.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=85496
Hope this works ?
Keith.
By: Thunderbird167 - 25th May 2009 at 17:03
Will dig out copies of some anedotes that I have below is the delivery flight of VX577 to Sunderland Arport.
Tuesday 14th January 1969
Sold ………… One Valetta C. Mk II
It was one of those days when both the mist and industrial haze hung around the perimeters of the airfield, making a landing approach more difficult to judge for the pilot on a strange runway.
The silver and white R.A.F. Vickers Valetta C.Mk.II loomed into sight at 14.05 hrs local time. Air Traffic control gave her final approach to runway 29 and at 14.10 hrs. VX577 landed for the last time, never to fly again.
A B.B.C. camera crew were in position to film the Valetta’s last landing for posterity and a host of newspaper reporters were standing on the tarmac waiting to interview the rather surprised R.A.F. crew climbing down from one of probably the last remaining Valetta aircraft.
She had been accompanied by an R.A.F Pembroke WV704 which landed shortly afterwards in order to pick up the crew. Unfortunately the Pembroke went unserviceable and had to stay until the following day awaiting a repair crew.
The following day a Varsity WJ886 was despatched with a repair crew but had to divert to Newcastle due to fog. The Pembroke aircraft was repaired by late evening but did not depart until the 13.30 following day due to fog
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May 25, 2009 at 9:35 am