Operation: Training

Date: 30th December 1949 (Friday)

Unit: No. 8 Squadron

Type: Bristol 164 Brigand BI

Serial: VS839

Code: -

Base: RAF Khormaksar, Aden

Location: Red Sea

Pilot: F/O. Desmond Lionel Scott 3036637 RAF Age 23 Missing

Nav: Nav III. Peter William Cross RAF Missing

Signaller: Sig II. Lionel Vincent Hayes RAF Missing

AC. 2nd class Dennis Martin RAF Missing

REASON FOR LOSS:

On a night cross country sortie from Khormaksar to Perim Island - then on to Assabaudjebel Seka Island and return to base.

Lost without trace although 3 dinghies were found in various positions north of Perim Island.

8 Squadron Officers

Front row: Capt. R.E.P. Ince (army liaison), F/O. D.L. Scott, F/O. F.A. Partridge, Fl/Lt. R.H.S. Butt (flight commander) Sq/Ldr. A. Msk.S. Steadman DFC (Squadron Commander), Nav III. P.W. Cross, Fl/Lt. P.M. Mitchell (Flight Commander), F/O. E.J.R. Downs, F/O. R. French. Fl/Lt. T. Tylor, Middle Row: PI. J. Sutton, Sig IV. j. Fraser, Nav II. P. Tyler, Nav II. G.R. Robinson, Sig III. P. Blakey, Sig II. C.R. Dingley, PI. P.A. Haughey, Nav. I.A.J. Fisher, Sig IV. I.D. Harrison, Sig II. G.H. King, Sig II. L. Varty, Back Row: Nav II. M. Heather, Sig II. R.S.G. Hall, Sig II. L.V. Hayes, Nav. I.J.W. Watkins DFC and Bar, P.III. M.E. Hollins, Sig II. T. Simpson, Sig II. J. Stones, P.II. G. E. Hickson, Nav III. D. Guy. (courtesy Jacqui Freegard)

No cause established but possible the aircraft ran into bad weather which had not been forecast - perhaps the pilot lost control when changing from Visual Flight Rules to Instrument Flight Rules since it was reported that the pilot had little night flying experience.

Accepted that the aircraft must have struck the sea with considerable force to release the dinghies and allow them to float away.

Burial details:

No details - all crew missing

Thanks to Jacqueline Freegard for bringing this loss to our attention. Her father was one of the crews sent to search for this loss. The pilot, F/O. Desmond Scott had been his pilot on previous operations. For further details our thanks to the following sources shown below.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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