Disadvantage
Hi Dave,
A short pilot was the cause of at least two Coastal Command Losses.
10/05/40
235 Sqn
Blenheim IV
N6193
LA-N
P/O R L Patterson
Lt Ogilvie RN
LAC A G Smith
Op: Recce, RAF Bircham Newton, Took off 1930.
Night mission to the coast of Holland from Texel to Borkum. The accident was attributed to the pilot being short of stature, encumbered by his Mae west, being unable to operate the fuel cocks resulting in an engine failure. P/O Patterson believed that there was insufficient fuel in the tank of the live engine to remain airborne while he manually pumped down the u/c and flaps so he bellylanded at 22:30 hrs, the aircraft catching fire in the crash after the u/c collapsed.
18/12/43
236 Sqn
Beaufighter X
LX858
P
F/O M G Seelly
Sgt Owen
Training, RAF North Coates
Undershot and ditched into mud flats after starboard engine failure during evasive action on a fighter affiliation 2 miles north of North Coates at 12:05 hrs.
The court of inquiry suggested that as the pilot was short of stature he had difficulty in controlling this type of aircraft and would be best employed on a different type.
Regards
Ross
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