Hi Alan, welcome to the site, I'm a newbie myself, good to have you on board

Jim

Hi one and all,

I would like to relay an 'incident' in Stirlings from a crew member who flew in Lancasters and Stirlings.

I was reading about all the accidents in HCU's and why so many aircraft swung off the runways when attempting to take off.

I am told this from a gent by the name of Dennis Over from England. I have had the pleasure of knowing Dennis for the past year or so and have shared a few stories together.

Dennis flew two tours as a rear gunner, one with 106 Squadron and the other with 227 Squadron and has stated to me that I can quote him on the below details.

I would like to share with you all, some very special comments from Dennis that he recently emailed me................

Regarding "Violent Swings on Take Off" - Stirlings. Having twin manually retractable tail wheels. The wheels had tyres with special ridges to try and cure the problem of the wheels aligning, they were free castoring.

It was discovered that unless the wheels were aligned very straight at the start of the take-off, they would begin to oscilate getting more severe as speed increased, often causing the aircraft to swing off course at critical points. The cure was very effective. When the aircraft turned onto the runway, it first stopped, at which stage the rear gunner swung the turret to port, slid open the twin doors & with feet secured under the turret structure, leant right out and slightly down giving full view of the wheels, thus advising the skipper that "wheels in view". The Pilot then began slow forward movement gradually increasing speed & when the gunner called "wheels straight", take-off commenced. The gunner then had to promptly get back in and close his doors.

On one occasion, I made a fool of myself because at 1654 HCU, all spare land area was put under cultivation with the 'Land Army Girls'. A group of girls were standing alongside watching aircraft curcuits & bumps. I turned and waved etc. to them, leaning slightly back & promptly fell out, helped by the slipstream, leaving one boot behind. I was neither the first or the last to fall out. It was only a short drop. Control tower told my pilot after take-off but the mid upper gunner had already spotted me. They were instructed to carry on their training exercise.

Dennis says that he can only confirm that this instruction detail applied to trainee crews at 1654 HCU. He also confirmed that the Lancaster did not experience such problems being a one only tail wheel with a better oleo leg.

....................... We all read books and alike but details of such incidents like this from those who experienced it I find very special.

Regards,
John