I was positioned in the 13 undershoot and subsequently unable to vacate the area when XV257 went over top of me < 60ft.
As she turned finals the flame was exiting the rear of the bomb bay and trailing back to just beyond the MAD boom, the doors had fallen down a few seconds earlier, once on finals < 3 miles she was heading straight at me so it became difficult to judge whether the fire was worsening or not. I remember the U/C lowering late on finals and within half a mile the roar of the flame appeared noiser ( along with a loud whistle ) than the remaining engines.
The whistling came from the clamshell door, which had also fallen open through fire damage after the bomb doors had fallen down but, before she had rolled out on finals.
In trying to get out of the way I reversed into a Cornish hedge which ate my drivers mirror and a window!
It was the only CoE I was ever involved in and my witness statement was used in the report almost word for word and therefore the first thing ever published!:D
I later met up with the Captain, Gordon Smith. He told me that if he had been aware of how much flame was eminating from the back of his aircraft, he would have ditched it for sure in Watergate Bay. I don’t believe he was told by ATC how bad it was.
The seat of the fire was beneath a 680gal fuel tank which was buckling with the heat.
A hugely lucky turnout for a beautifully flown and professionally handled, crew managed multiple emergency and a superb fire section response.
I feel honoured to have been so close to the action and witness bravery on so many levels.
Baz
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