ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 208526
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| Date: | Sunday 6 August 1939 |
| Time: | day |
| Type: |  Fairey Battle Mk I |
| Owner/operator: | 103 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | K9263 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Location: | near Tollerton, Nottinghamshire, England -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Benson, Oxfordshire |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
Fairey Battle Mk.I K9263 (GV-B) 103 Squadron, RAF Benson, Oxfordshire: Written off (damaged beyond repair) 6/8/39, in a mid air collision with Fairey Battle K9373. They were two of three aircraft from 103 Squadron on a training exercise from RAF Benson. The aircraft were flying at 250 feet in the Nottingham area when Flying Officer Vipan’s aircraft (K9373) encountered turbulence thought to emanate from a factory chimney. His aircraft hit Squadron Leader Coverdale’s machine (K9263) killing the Observer, Sgt B J Williams, instantly. Both aircraft were badly damaged and particularly that of Coverdale who managed to land at nearby Tollerton airfield.
Flying Officer Vipan landed Battle K9373 at Holme Lane, Ratcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamhsire. One killed, but all the others were safe. The W/OP/Air Gunner in Coverdale’s machine, AC2 Peter I Bligh, had a miraculous escape being within 2 feet of the propeller which killed Sgt Williams.
There was an inquest some days later which recorded a verdict of accidental death on the unfortunate airman.
Squadron Leader Coverdale rose to the rank of Wing Commander and was killed whilst Officer Commanding 431 Squadron on 22/6/43.
F/O Vipan also rose to the rank of Wing Commander in Training Command but reverted to Squadron Leader when he requested to resume operational flying. He was killed whilst training for ops with 12 OTU on 16/10/44.
Bligh faired no better and was killed with 103 Squadron on 10/6/40 in a daylight operation to the Vernon Battle Area in France with his pilot Pilot Officer C.V. Thomas
Fairey Battle K9263 was transferred to 4 MU and Struck Off Charge 5/3/40. K9373 was transferred to 1651M at 1 EWS on 22/9/39 presumably for use as a ground instructional airframe.
According to the official Air Ministry announcement in "Flight" (August 17, 1939 page 161 - see link #4)
"FLYING ACCIDENTS
Sgt. Ronald Jefferies Williams lost his life as the result of an accident which occurred near Nottingham on August 6 to an aircraft of 103 Squadron. Sqn. Ldr. John Coverdale, the pilot of the aircraft, and A/C.2 Peter Ivo Bligh, the other member of the crew, were not injured."
Sources:
1. Royal Air Force Aircraft K1000-K9999 (James J. Halley, Air Britain, 1976 page 76)
2. http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1939.htm
3. https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1939/1939-1-%20-%200535.PDF
4. https://www.northlincsweb.net/103Sqn/html/103_squadron_-_nottingham_collision_-_6-8-39_-_s-l_john_coverdal.html
5. http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?13426-103-Sqn-Loss-August-6-1939-Fairey-Battle
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 31-Mar-2018 23:59 | Dr. John Smith | Added |
| 01-Apr-2018 00:02 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Source] |
| 15-Oct-2018 14:47 | Nepa | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
| 08-May-2023 21:26 | Nepa | Updated [[Operator, Operator]] |
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