Highball trials unit-where?

PNK;131374 wrote:

West Freugh for secrecy? My records show where the trial was carried out but not where the aircraft were based for that trial.

[IMG]/community/131874=13748-Trials Loch Striven.jpg[/img]
[IMG]/community/131874=13746-Barnes Wallis letter2.jpg[/img]
[IMG]/community/131874=13747-Leo at loch Striven.jpg[/img]

The Loch Striven trials using HMS Malaya as a target ship took place in late September and October 1944. The 618 Sqdn Mosquitos were based at RAF Turnberry. The photos show HMS Malaya under attack and the resulting damage with Leo Lane peering out the hole. The letter from Barnes Wallis which accompanied the photo was written when Leo Lane was terminally ill with lung cancer and shortly before his death.

Location of and purpose of post war trials still a mystery as the Loch Striven trials were very successful.

John:

So is Air-Britain therefore wrong in giving the Highball Trials Unit's bases as Spilsby and Coningsby?

There were wartime trials - documented - and, it seems post-war trials too and the Spilsby and Coningsby basing were probably post-war?

Hi Peter:

Yes, its post-war that we are talking about - see post #5.

regards, Bill.

Thanks Bill, I thought there was some doubt about the date of the photographs.

Have come across a reference to a fatal accident at Machin Bay, Islay on 25/10/1945 during Highball trials, involving Mosquito B Mk 1V DZ579/G. Sqn Ldr A Jaques DFC and Flt Lt Savin were the crew involved. The aircraft was said to be from MAEE Helensburgh (land based aircraft attached to the unit used Ayr/Prestwick).

PETERTHEEATER;131304 wrote:

What intrigues me is - if these images are postwar - is what was the interest in continuing trials on this bomb.

When you consider that 618's Mosquitos and their live Highballs were scrapped and blown up in Australia soon after the Japanese surrender, it is surprising that we then carried on trialling it.

Pages 5 through 10 of this document recounts the FAA trials:

www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/397599.pdf

Don't panic at seeing the first 4 pages, an article on corrosion! Skip to Page 5