Avro Tutor K3256 - Lundy, April 25th 1944?

[wwrsimon]

Hello everyone

Avro Tutor K3256 was on the books of 4 A.G.S. at Morpeth, and apparently the pride and joy of Athol Henry Fear while he was in charge there. The last two entries for it in the 'K Series' book are:

...4 AGS 11.9.43; Lundy 25.4.44 and S.O.C. as B.E.R.

So, what was it doing on Lundy? The airfield (well, landing strip) seems to have been on Lundy since 1934:

https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/ai...-finder/lundy/

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Just a couple of quick additions.

I've got the A.M. Form 78 courtesy of the R.A.F Museum, and it has the following stamped on the front:

Psd soc 21/6/47
Brch Inst No42

Can anyone tell me what Psd means? Passed, posted? And what is Brch Inst No42?

And after 4 AGS it has:

25.4.44 Atlantic Coasts

Any ideas what unit 'Atlantic Coasts' may be?

Thanks

Simon

[Lyffe]

Simon

I wonder if your query re Atlantic Coasts can be answered by your link. Clicking on 'Units' the main user was Lundy and Atlantic Coasts Airlines Ltd. A brief summary of this airline is at https://www.gbintairmail.com/atlantic.htm; the link includes a brief reference to the Air Ministry licensing an area on Lundy which was used as a landing strip by the airline. I just wonder if this might be the link you are seeking. Elsewhere there are links to three aircraft crashing on Lundy during the war (two Heinkels and a Whitley - https://www.lundy.org.uk/about-lundy/history/1925-1969) but nothing about the Tutor.

Brian

[wwrsimon]

Fascinating stuff Brian, thank you.

Lundy and Atlantic Coasts get a few mentions in the newspapers just prior to the outbreak of the war, one articles mentions the Short Scion on passenger duties to Lundy.

There was also a mention in the report of the funeral of Wilfred Ernest Cater, who was the subject of this thread:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...4281#post84281

The article, in the North Devon Journal of july 3rd 1941, mentions a representative of Lundy and Atlantic Coasts Airlines being present at his funeral, as well as flowers from the Directors.

Regards

Simon

[Lyffe]

A couple of things, Simon:

Re your #2. I wonder if 'Psd soc 21/6/47' can be interpreted as 'Presumed struck off charge 21/6/47'. Possibly the aircraft suffered damage due to a minor accident whilst landing (hit a sheep or wall), but facilities were not available to effect a repair at the time (April 1944). In the event 4 AGS was disbanded 8 months later (AIR 29/590/2) and the aircraft was probably forgotten about until a general review of assets in 1947.

The subsequent reference to Atlantic Coasts might simply have been the result of the landing strip being technically licensed to the Atlantic Coasts airline.

Be interesting to know if there is a F1180 which might explain why the aircraft was so far from its home base.

Just thinking.

Brian

[wwrsimon]

Hello Brian

When I requested the Form 78 for K3256 from the RAF Museum I also asked them for a possible Form 1180 in 1944, but they couldn't find anything. I've asked someone who has a contact at the AHB to see if they have anything, but I couldn't give them a date.

I also wondered that if it had gone into Atlantic Coasts ownership, it would have been given a civil registration?

I'm not sure what it might mean, but under 'Authority' for the move to Atlantic Coasts it has HS71320/EIC.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Nothing at the AHB. I wonder where 'S.O.C. as B.E.R.' in the Air Britain K File came from then?

Regards

Simon

[Lyffe]

Beyond Economic/Effective Repair perhaps Simon?

Brian