Highball trials unit-where?

I have recently received the following from the son (my wife's cousin) of Lt Cdr Lane who appears in the photos in post 1.

"No idea when photos were taken. There is no indication on the back of them, but I agree they look like post war.

My Father left naval service in 1947. He did not keep a copy of his letters of condolence (in respect of the Machir Bay crash?) but I distinctly remember (a) the replies from widows/relatives and (b) a 2 page official report of the incident, probably written by my Father. These seem to have vanished: despite a search, I cannot find them in the photocopies of all the papers sent back to me by the Public Record Office, which is rather odd. He was definitely in charge of a unit at this time. A CV of his dated 15/11/45 contains the sentence:

"In addition I have been the Officer Commanding the Special Highball Flight. In this latter case, Range Construction & Trials both in Norfolk & Scotland were left entirely in my hands"

In another CV done some years later, he writes:

"Held until 1947, for certain top secret weapons trials - Squadron Commander of combined Naval & RAF air crew and ground crews."

Since there is no record of any other Highball crash at this time, the incident at Islay in your link must have been the one when he was in charge. So it is possible the 3 (not 2) officers in the photos were the crew involved, but I have no means of proving this."

Hopefully I can get my hands on the photocopies of Lane's papers and may find other clues to be posted at a later date.

A valuable post from John; many thanks.

We have not paid much attention to the Highball pictured in the first post. I believe the weapon underwent several modifications (especially strengthening) during its long development, so the configuration might give a clue to the date of the picture. I don't have enough information to follow this line of research any farther; does anyone?

"It then states that on 25 April 1946 - "Detachment of two aircraft returned to RAF Eastmoor"."

Anyone any idea why the aircraft were returned to RAF East Moor (near York?). 54 OTU (ex Charterhall) were there to train night fighter crews on Mosquitos at the time ref. "Action Stations 4" by Halpenny.

"Action Stations 7" by David Smith gives a location for Highball Trials as Port Ellen.

The MAEE detachment went there in 1945? and stayed until 21 June, they then returned on 21 September. The Mosquito accident happened at Machir Bay, Islay on 25 October and the last Mosquito left for Wisley on 13 November. Aircrew involved in the accident were S/Ldr Arthur Jacques DFC & bar (buried Bowmore New Parish Churchyard, Islay ref CWGC) and his Nav. F/Lt Eric J Saville DFC. Interesting if the RAF aircrew in the earlier posted images were them, the shoulder rank markings on the pilot look right (but resolution not good enough to see if they are wearing DFC ribbons).

John wrote:

"Action Stations 7" by David Smith gives a location for Highball Trials as Port Ellen.

The MAEE detachment went there in 1945? and stayed until 21 June, they then returned on 21 September. The Mosquito accident happened at Machir Bay, Islay on 25 October and the last Mosquito left for Wisley on 13 November. Aircrew involved in the accident were S/Ldr Arthur Jacques DFC & bar (buried Bowmore New Parish Churchyard, Islay ref CWGC) and his Nav. F/Lt Eric J Saville DFC. Interesting if the RAF aircrew in the earlier posted images were them, the shoulder rank markings on the pilot look right (but resolution not good enough to see if they are wearing DFC ribbons).

I should have looked at Google Streetview before I posted the above, as obviously the unit was not at Port Allen at the time the photos were taken-not a tree or hedge in sight on Streetview!

Peter wrote:

According to "Bouncing-Bomb Man" by Iain Murray the Machir Bay Mosquito (DZ579) lost its port elevator due to a splash. Was this the one seen on Highball films?

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One of the series of photos of the accident.

Kevin wrote:

A valuable post from John; many thanks.

We have not paid much attention to the Highball pictured in the first post. I believe the weapon underwent several modifications (especially strengthening) during its long development, so the configuration might give a clue to the date of the picture. I don't have enough information to follow this line of research any farther; does anyone?

that highball looks like it has a wooden skin or could be wooden, an early prototype perhaps?