Vampire mid-air
Further to the link posted earlier that gives Dennis Mobberley’s version of events is the information I received in writing directly from one of the pilots involved and he stated that it was recorded in his log book as having occurred on 5 April 1952:
Sydney Hyams was one of the pilots in the formation that day and recalls the crash:
“I can confirm from my log book on 5th April 1952 there was a Wing Formation which involved 72, 601 and 603 Squadrons. Wg Cdr Don Kingaby DFC led the formation over the North Sea, consisting of 32 or 33 Vampires Mk 5 fighters.
During our descent from 30,000ft, when approaching Maldon, the order “Dive brakes – Go” was given by the CO. Pilot officer Taylor, who was behind and beneath Sgt Dennis Mobberly, was a little slow in lowering his dive brake control lever with the result that he moved beneath the tail plane in front and his nose rose through the tail plane and caused a wing to collapse. All of this was a few yards away from me to my right, as I was formating on Sgt Mobberly, with Sgt Jimmy Stewart beneath and behind me.
Both Jimmy and I broke away to port and followed the stricken Vampire right to the point of impact in a ploughed field and flew low across another field to wave to Dennis, who appeared to have parachuted safely to earth. Dennis spent two days in Chelmsford hospital with a cut forehead, but was otherwise unhurt and resumed flying. Plt Off Taylor belly landed his Vampire at North Weald, was stripped of his wings and grounded.”
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