In response to the item from Dave McCormack, dnsmcc=yahoo.co, 21.09.2011. I was around 7 when this crash occurred. It was a Friday around lunch time & I was at home during school lunch. The Vulcan crashed into Southwick Recreation ground (West Sussex) with debris spreading over a wide area - plane parts damaged several houses in Croft Avenue, the Brighton - Portsmouth railway line and in the adjacent Manor Hall Road Primary school play ground. The pilot attempted to crash land in the sea close by but lost too much altitude and died in the attempt. Several crew parachuted out with one landing in The Gardens. I can remember returning to school and seeing holes in the playground with parts strewn around. Friends & I spent several weeks afterwards combing the area looking for aircraft fragments to hand in to the crash investigators.
Alistair Allcroft, e-mail, 20.10.2012 23:44
Worked on B Flight Valiants of 232 OCU at Gaydon from spring of 1963 until the fateful event which brought WP217 home with a cracked stbd rear spar. That was the end for these beautiful machines as they never really flew again after that incident.
Where are you; all the old mates from those days? Doug Watson, Pete Nicholls, Mick Leary, all the lads from Billet 53 and any of the whole 'tribe' of us who worked on the best aircraft ever made.
Jack Carr, e-mail, 03.10.2012 23:20
I remember whilst serving at RAF Habbaniya staging post, it Iraq , The Valiant cut through the base at zero feet [almost], frightening the life out of all the guys, on it's record breaking run to Australia in1955 I think. My God, what an aeroplane , so beautiful . Gave me a pride in the Airforce just as I was leaving for home after two and half years . Great times
Richard Ayres, e-mail, 04.07.2012 22:54
My father Flt Lt Hugh Ayres was navigator / bomb aimer on Valiants with 90 Squadron at Honnington between June 1957 and June 1961. He flew mainly with pilot Flt Lt John Cochrane who went on to become Concord test pilot. In September 1958 they took part in the SAC bombing competition in the USA. Later he flew mainly with pilot Flt Lt Davis. My father flew 1222 hours as navigator on Valiants (787 day and 435 night). Hope this is of interest and I'd be interested to hear from anyone who knew him.
Alan Wrigglesworth, e-mail, 07.06.2012 21:17
I was at Gaydon 1957/1958 .on 232OCU. My trade was airframe and I worked in ASF in 1 and 2 Hangars. I looked after port wing , wheels and undercarriage. In for a minor service the aircraft would be jacked up, flaps and wheels removed before beginning inspection. Main spars being part of my remit.I well remember the leaky tanks and on one occasion being the only one slim enough having to go inside the wing through one of the small panels to fit a new liner.Not pleasant complete with mask. I worked on most of the WZ numbered aircraft
David Anthony Sykes, e-mail, 28.05.2012 13:28
Two articles about the Valiant can be seen in Issue 4 of The Wheel, which is the newsletter for ex-RAF Apprentices domiciled in New Zealand. The web address seems to be rejected from this site, but it reads nzrafaaa.co.nz
David Anthony Sykes, e-mail, 28.05.2012 13:28
Two articles about the Valiant can be seen in Issue 4 of The Wheel, which is the newsletter for ex-RAF Apprentices domiciled in New Zealand. The web address seems to be rejected from this site, but it reads nzrafaaa.co.nz
David Anthony Sykes, e-mail, 28.05.2012 12:56
I was an Instrument Technician at RAF Gaydon from 1955 until 1960. For most of this time I worked on B Squadron, which was the Valiant squadron. (A Squadron flew Victors which entered service about 1 year later than the Valiants.) Soon after my arrival at Gaydon, I was fortunate in being selected as a member of the Instrument Servicing Team which accompanied Valiants WP206 and WP207 on the first Valiant proving flights to Australia and New Zealand (Operation Too Right). This event took place during September and October 1955. During the trip we almost lost WP 206 when the first stage of number 3 engine disintegrated when flying over the Indian Ocean. The crew were ordered to abandon the aircraft and the Crew-chief already had his emegency oxygen bottle 'pulled' and was about to jettison the door, when the Captain reversed the order to jump. He had found that the aircraft was handling OK and would remain airborne. The aircraft was then diverted to RAF Sharjah in Trucial Oman, where it successfully landed on a runway which was shorter than that recommended for the Valiant. I spent about a week there helping to repair the aircraft and we watched it depart for Negombo, Sri Lanka, after robbing every battery we could find, from nearly every vehicle on the base, in order to total the 112 volts, with sufficient current, to ground start the Valiant. We collectively held our breath as the engine struggled to turn over, until finally it ignited and we all breathed a sigh of relief! From then on, the running engine's generator made easy work of starting the other 3 and the aircraft was able to make an excellent take-off from that undersized runway. A description of Operation Too Right can be found in Valiants-r-us and also in Issue 4 of The Wheel, which is also on the net. There is also a description, in Issue 4, of the Valiant flying from Gaydon which suffered structural failure and which lead to the scrapping of the Valiant fleet.
Jerry Cleary, e-mail, 15.05.2012 13:03
I was in the VOG (Valiant Operationally grounded) Cell at RAF Honnington. The boss was a fine man - Warrant Officer Finch-Savage. Replacement spares were orders by high prioority signal - and their deliverey tracked by us. Best station I ever served on Posted from there to GEP RAF BRuggen 1956 - 1959
Bernie Proctor, e-mail, 10.05.2012 11:13
I spent much of my apprenticeship working on this aircraft. Amusing stories abound - when the 'organ lofts' were packed with workers and a handful of stink bombs were dropped in causing near panic and a line standing on the wing. Also the worst kept secret when one was painted white with blue markings for an atomic test. Happy days
D.Penberthy, e-mail, 31.01.2012 15:30
It is a pleasure to see that members of 90 Squadron, RAF Honington, are still alive and kicking. As you know, we lost Freddie Hazelwood several years ago but the Engineering Officer. Mike Grigson,is alive and well. Happy days !
Dave McCormack, e-mail, 21.09.2011 01:15
I've just read with great interest all about the Valiant & all the subsequent comments. I was a Radar Op. at RAF Truleigh Hill in,as I recall,1955/6 when we were called to a Crash site off Kingston Lane,Southwick nr Shoreham. We were told it was a Valiant-can anyone confirm that? Was the main spar problem, already mentioned, the cause?
Keith Blunden, e-mail, 05.09.2011 19:51
I was an airframe fitter at Marham working on 49,148 & 207 Sqdn aircraft from 1962 until they were withdrawn from service to be replaced by what was in my opinion a much inferior aircraft in the Victor. I believe it was the first and fastest produced of the 3 V-Bombers and was easy to maintain. Really enjoyed the QRA take-offs that occurred on occasions.
L J (Taff) Lark, e-mail, 09.08.2011 13:15
I was one of the first NBS (Mech) course at Yatesbury. The posted Wittering 138. From there to Marham but posted back to Wittering i/c team to refit NBS to a/c returning ti line service after Xmas Isle detatchment. Was selected for team to take part in US SAC Fairchild Trophy competition in 1957/58.Unfortunately we lost our CO at pincastle AFB in a B47 incident. This base is now McCoy INT airport Orlando -- another story.. The Valiant performed wits stable Vulcan beyond the yanks belief Both a/c could well outperform anything at that time in the US bomber fleet and in many cases could out perform fighters at altitude.
choqing, 20.06.2011 06:39
There seems little doubt that the stresses imposed by such a role accelerated the wing-span metal fatigue first reported in late 1964, and which led to the scrapping of all Valiants in January 1965.
, e-mail, 20.06.2011 06:38
Vickers Valiant 1951
Alan Greenwood, e-mail, 09.06.2011 14:15
Wonderful memories of working ( Airframe ) on the Valiants with 90 Sqdn at Honington from 1958-60 and 1962 until they were all "cut-up" and scrapped. Anyone else ex 90 out there !!
Errol Scott, e-mail, 16.05.2011 04:15
I do beleive my father was the duty controller at Cranfield when the protype crashed.
Kevin Morrow, e-mail, 16.04.2011 20:27
I wish I could she her flying again of her kind like the XH558 Avro Vulcan. I know that the Vulcan was riced up again of the money why not do the same thing to the Valiant because she is a beautiful bird with the early Delta wing and without her there would be NO Avro Vulcan from the design parts of the Valiant.
Tom (Taff) Morris, e-mail, 29.03.2011 18:50
I flew as an AEO on Valiants on 49 Sqn from 1960 to 65. Bill Jordan was one of the instructor pilots at Gaydon when I was on 232 OCU. For Sarah & Graham Jones info, I flew many a sortie with him. I left the RAF as a Wing Commander in 1990.
paul stanney, e-mail, 23.01.2011 19:42
If anyone knew my father i would be pleased for an email . His name was George Stanney Flight Sgnt RAF ,8 sqdn .We were in Aden around 1951 ,for 18 months ,where he flew in Briggands .He was also in the Berlin Airlift .This information is also for my mother ,who would love a chat about dad .Thankyou Paul Stanney .
Paul Stanney, e-mail, 26.12.2010 19:37
A FRIEND OF MY FATHERS WHO WAS IN THE RAF TOGETHER ADEN WAS ONE POSTING WAS HARRY HALL WHO FLEW IN VALIANTS CHRISTMAS ISLAND ,ADEN .HARRY LIVES IN LINCOLNSHIRE IF YOU FLEW WITH HIM OR KNOW HIM ,I SEE HIM WEEKLY CONTACT ME AND ILL TELL HIM . ALSO ANYONE WHO KNEW GEORGE STANNEY 8 SQDN RING ME . 07745725642 IS MY MOBILE NUMBER.
Derek Swanson, e-mail, 20.12.2010 18:38
Hi,
I'm configuring Flight dynamics for the Valiant in a Flight Simulator and you like to have details of trim/ flap /spoiler etc configuration for take-off and landing. Any help welcome to make the flight model realistic
Mike Fletcher, e-mail, 20.12.2010 10:39
I worked on B Squadron Valiants and A Squadron Victors at 232 OCU RAF Gaydon in the 50's and 60's and was in the ground 'reception party' for WP217 when it returned early from the sortie during which the rear main spar had cracked, leading, not long afterwards, to the early scraping of the whole fleet of Valiants. The face of the captain was ashen when he was called back to B squadron dispersal area later and told of the findings of the Senior Tech Airframe Fitter. He and his crew thought the loud bang they had heard during the flight was a compressor problem and, in his words, 'Had been throwing the aircraft around during the fuel burning exercise to achieve a safe landing weight'.
ROBERT SYMONS, e-mail, 11.12.2010 12:40
My father built the Valiant at Weybridge. As a small boy I used to watch the air tests from Wisley and the air-to-air refuelling trials. A detachment of four Valiants from 214 Sqn came to Tengah (Singapore) for the non-stop UK-Australia Vulcan flight in 1961. Bomber Command was huge in those days
Mike Cavanagh, e-mail, 16.10.2010 19:48
Served No.148: MAR 1956-Mar 1958 (E & I)A & B Flt. Best years of 12 RAF, loved LUQA Tours and whole Sqdn-Ethos.No way could I get into 'ORGAN-LOFT' now Lads! Would love a contact any old Comrades remembering inc. Serial NOS. OF Kites inc. photos? What price those Giant 'L-Labels' No. 207 & 214 hung on our Tails our first Bomb-Ex on Work-Ups(Sneaky!)? If Any Bandsmen also remembering and, CHIEFY who married into the Marham Bus Family of the Village?
Lesley Hayward, e-mail, 09.01.2010 16:45
My late husband, Dick Hayward (ret'd as Flt Lt) was with the Valiant from Apr 56 to Jan 63 and really enjoyed flying it. He was really upset by the main spar fatigue problem and never forgot the pleasure that he'd had flying the Valiant with 7 Sqn and 49 Sqn. Also, he managed to get a few sorties on XD818 and whenever we saw her at Marham or Hendon, he'd wander over and give her a pat, just for old times' sake. Last time I saw 818 was after she'd just be 'bolted' back together at Cosford after the journey from Hendon, poor old thing looked like me on a bad hair day. I sent a photograph of Dick in 1972 with 818, when she was Marham's gate guardian, to Cosford and it's somewhere in the Cold War Museum. Hopefully, I'll get a shuftie later this year. So far, there's four of us, with husbands/wives/girlfriends, going to the V-bomber reunion at Newark Aviation Museum and if I can get my backside into gear there'll be a few more too.
john stevenson, e-mail, 23.11.2009 18:44
I was aairframe mech in1954 that carried out the first acceptance check on arrival to the raf at gaydon.later worked as a cpl tech at honington 90sqdn 1961.@ ultimatly at gaydon when it went out of service.I went to cosford last year it was wonderful to see such a marvellous a/c in all its glory.
Nobby Unwin, e-mail, 16.09.2009 17:27
I was an Air Wireless Mechanic on 138 Sqdn.A Flt from 03/57-10/59 and 18Sqdn from 5/62 until demob in 01/64. In my opinion, the Valiant was the First, and the best, of the V-Force. I am the founder of a group, known as the 'Friends of 138 Valiant Squadron' and the creator of the we-site:- www.valiants-r-us.co.uk All my details are on the 'Contact' page, and I would welcome contact from anyone associated with working-on or flying this magnificent aircraft.
Joe Marston Nav., e-mail, 31.08.2009 14:17
R.A.F Marham 207 sq. was lots of fun Thursday evenings was our Valiant flying exercise schedule,formation over the chanel at angels 30 then onto Aden,pilot phil(snotty)Downes.I wonder how How many of our crew & squadron are still with us. anyone who finds this,please Email me to share those days of Suez etc.
Sarah Jones, e-mail, 09.08.2009 14:56
I have my father's flying log books he flew Valiant XD828. His name was Flt. Lt. W H Jordan (Bill) He flew from Honnington with 7 Sqn during the late 50's. Anyone with any information or who may have known him your comments would be greatly appreciated
Ian Dryden, e-mail, 08.07.2009 07:59
I was an aircraft electrician on the ground crew for valiant No.XD828 on No.7 squadron at RAF Honington in Suffolk, England. I carried out the electrical acceptance check on XD828 when it arrived at RAF Honington in Dec 1956. Regarding the metal fatigue problem, I did hear of problems in the wing roots on some of the valiants in which the wings were removed and reattached during major servicing, which was much earlier than info given on other internet sites.
joe marston, e-mail, 16.12.2008 05:49
I was a navigator with 207 squadron R.A.F. Marham during 1950s . The valiant was a special aircraft,but not withput its problems, Metal fatigue was the fear of aircrew
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