I am sure I read somewhere that this was attempted with fatal results in a Spitfire . I am not saying it was not achieved successfully several times , but on this occasion not so . I think this was an American pilot .
There was allegedly an incident when someone took off from RAF Great Sampford with a WAAF on their lap and crashed, killing both of them. Wikipedia records what sounds suspiciously like the same incident in Diana Barnato Walker’s page:
“She became engaged to Squadron Leader Humphrey Trench Gilbert DFC of No. 65 Sqn RAF in April 1942, but he was killed in a flying accident 2 May 1942 when Spitfire BL372/YT-Z crashed at Loves Farm, Cutlers Green, Thaxted, Essex. With him in the Spitfire was Flt Lt David Gordon Ross. They took off from Great Sampford, the RAF Debden satellite station, having consumed 6-8 bottles each of Benskins Colne Springs beer, according to the licensee of the pub. This info was not revealed until after the Court of Enquiry. The CO tried to borrow a Magister but his flight sergeant, realising that he was in no fit state to fly, told him it was u/s. The CO then took a Spitfire.”
I cannot comment on the veracity of the account, but both men are in CWGC, died same day, and one is buried at Saffron Walden.
Adrian
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