Thunder & Lightnings

Test Flying Memorial

"...and everywhere the
blue sky belongs to them
and is their appointed rest
and their native country"
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge



Date14/07/1954
CasualtiesSqn Ldr R.V. Ecclestone DFC AFC, Handley Page TP; Mr E.N.K. Bennett, FTO; Mr B. Heithersay, FTO; Mr A.B. Cook, FTO
AircraftHandley Page Victor B Mk 1 WB771
Took off fromCranfield, Bedfordshire
Purpose of flightPosition error calibration flight involving runs at 100ft across airfield at increasing speeds
Incident locationCranfield, Bedfordshire
Incident detailsAfter many runs tailplane detached owing to induced flutter, causing cracking of attachment bolt holes


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