I’m currently undertaking research for a book on the RAF Fire Service and I require some information to verify two crashes that occurred at RAF Luqa in Malta in the 1950s.
The first was a DH Vampire being delivered to the Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft diverted or rested at Luqa before flying on with its British pilot. For reasons unknown the aircraft swung on take off. The pilot decided to jump clear and was killed. According to an eye-witness if he had stayed with the aircraft he would have survived the crash. The aircraft crashed (I think) on August 2nd 1952. Not sure if the pilot worked for de Havilland’s or a sub contractor.
Also, on 18th February 1956 Avro York G-ANSY took off from RAF Luqa Airport at 12:21 for a flight to London Stansted. Shortly after becoming airborne the aircraft stalled and dived into the ground. Over 50 RAF airmen were killed. The problem is that the person who told me this story thinks that another Avro York crashed within a couple of days of this accident? Can anyone shed any light on this and maybe any other Avro York crashed at RAF Luqa in the 1950s?
Hope you can help?
Best Wishes
Phillip Rhodes
By: von Perthes - 1st February 2005 at 18:07
Re G-ANSY from ‘To fly no more’ by Colin Cummings.
18-Feb-56, G-ANSY, York, Scottish Av, Near the Blue Grotto, Zurrieq, Malta.
The aircraft was engaged flying service personnel from the Suez area to UK and had stopped to refuel in Malta. Immediately after take-off it was reported that the aircraft was in difficulties with various reports of engine failure or fire. In attempting to return to the airfield at Luqa the aircraft crashed and all aboard were killed.
Crew-
Captain Frank COKER 40, Pilot First Officer R GORVIN 30 Co-Pilot, Radio Officer J HAY 37, Navigation Officer R BEECHLY 38, Miss G UPHAM Air Stewardess
(First Officer Gorvin and Miss Upham were engaged to be married)
Passengers-
Corporal Raymond WILLIAMS, Leading Aircraftman John Leslie FITZPATRICK, Aircraftman 1st Class Michael Joseph FLEMING, Leading Aircraftman Peter Roy CARLTON, Leading Aircraftman Roy HAMPSON, Leading Aircraftman Dennis PARKER, Leading Aircraftman Stuart Henderson BUTCHART, Leading Aircraftman Ernest Richard HARRIS, Aircraftman 1st Class Richard YOUNG, Leading Aircraftman Michael PYE, Leading Aircraftman John Fortune WILSON, Corporal John David COLLIER, Corporal Cornelius Christopher BURKE, Corporal James Arthur EDWARDS, Leading Aircraftman John Marshall HOLLIDAY, Flight Sergeant Herbert Frederick GEORGE, Corporal William STEVEN, Sergeant Jack Ward SPENCE, Corporal Philip John BLY, Leading Aircraftman Gordon KENYON, Leading Aircraftman Frederick Robert James KEATING, Corporal John James MACKAY, Corporal Reginald Frederick WEARING, Corporal George Anderson CRAIGIE, Leading Aircraftman Alexander Murray BARBOUR, Corporal Walter George TALBOT, Corporal Brian Charles PRATCHETT, Sergeant Bryan Frederick John ALBERRY Corporal John Raymond COX, Leading Aircraftman Dougald BROWN, Leading Aircraftman Mervyn John NURSE, Senior Aircraftman Glenn WORTLEY, Leading Aircraftman William Waterson FLEMING, Leading Aircraftman Douglas MILLAR
Corporal Jack BRACEWELL, Corporal John Stuart Elliott FAWCETT, Sergeant John Albert SPENCER, Senior Aircraftman Thomas Geoffrey DUMBILL, Leading Aircraftman Timothy DRURY-LOWE, Corporal Alan James PATERSON, Senior Aircraftman Sidney Andrew HODSON, Leading Aircraftman Keith Emlyn WILLIAMS, Corporal Thomas Kenneth ROBERTS, Private A SMITH RAOC.
Geoff.
By: Jan - 1st February 2005 at 10:09
The Pakistani AF never used Vampires, the Indian AF did, though.
Jan
By: FLY.BUY - 31st January 2005 at 15:36
A Vampire crashed on 02 Aug 1952 at RAF Luqa and from records it seems to be the only Vampire crash on the Island.
Quite a few Avro Yorks have crashed in Malta, in 1958 two Avro Yorks crashed on the 25th February and 22nd May. (Incidentally one was Dan Air G-AMUT)
Perhaps your friend was referring to two Valetta’s which crashed the day after each other? These being 17th and 18th May 1953 although records show them to be RAF aircraft as opposed to civilian registered.
If you look at this web page it lists all the post war crashes in Malta and there seems to be quite a few despite it being only a small island. Good luck with your research!
http://www.aviationinmalta.com/page19.html
Regards
Fly.Buy
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st January 2005 at 14:30
One very good source for material such as you are seeking is shown here
[HTML]http://www.baaa-acro.com/Types%20d’avions/Avro%20685%20York.htm[/HTML]
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January 31, 2005 at 2:18 pm