To confirm the details……
Lightning P1B, XG332, operated by de Havilland for Firestreak and Red Top missile trials. On 13th Sept 1962, after conducting a high speed/high altitude re-heat test off the south coast, pilot Geroge Aird had a double engine fire warning during the flight back to Hatfield, after making several attempts to relight one of the engines. Due to a cobination of a blocked fuel drain and a craked re-heat pipe the resultant fire burnt through the tailplane actuator rods, causing a violent pitch-up, just as George was on final approach.
George ejected and crashed through the roof of one of the large greenhouse just visible in the bottom left of the picture, smashing both of his legs, and finally coming to rest amist the tomato plants.
The photo was taken by a Jim Meads who just happened to be taking photos of his children at the time, and appeared as the centre page spread in the Daily Mail on the 9th Oct ’62.

RE: Which airshow performer do you miss the most.

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 30-01-03 AT 08:03 AM (GMT)]I hope you told him it was a Griffen he was listening to…..;-)

Anyway…

Jets: Ligthning and Vulcan
Piston: Mossie and Black 6

Pilots: All those not around anymore, but, in particular Mark Hanna, Hoof, Neil Williams, Stefan Karwowski

RE: Operation Freshman

Brave men…….

As a footnote:-
There was hope a while back, that a group of us from the WW2 Living History Association were going to travel to Norway this week to commemorate this anniversary, by marching in correct period kit, from the desingnated glider landing zone to the heavy water plant. Alas, this proved to be too a ambitious of a idea, even though there was some interest from the Norweigians and talk of sponsership.

RE: Two in a fighter. Did it ever happen?

Yes it did happen on a number of occasions, but the Germans managed at least 3 in a fighter on occasions during retreats in the face of advancing allied armies. By removing the radio equipment a 109 could accomodate 2 ground crew crammed into the rear fuselage..!!!