R. Banham sent this view of the aftermath of the crash of Hastings TG610 at Thorney Island.Q Our February 2011 issue contained a reply about a Handley Page Hastings crash that occurred at Thorney Island in December 1963.

A Michael Brydges says it was Hastings TG610, and correctly states that it demolished the radio workshop and killed a senior NCO, named by R. Banham as Sgt Newington. Mr Banham supplies the accompanying photograph of the aircraft, and he too identifies it as TG610.

R.T.F. Lion became OC Aircraft Engineering Squadron at Thorney Island in August 1964, when a Hastings was being repaired on site by the manufacturer before return to the RAF, but he quotes the serial as TG619. Air-Britain’s Royal Air Force Aircraft SA100–VZ999 cites TG610 for the December 17, 1963, accident and TG619 as being struck off charge on November 27, 1967, with no accident mentioned. There seems to be some confusion. The photograph shows enough severe damage for TG610 to be written off, so maybe the paperwork is at fault.

Pete Mumford recalls at least two crashes of Hastings at that time. The other, in 1965, was TG577 while dropping parachutists at Hintonon-the-Green, which lost elevator control and dived into the ground on approach to Abingdon on July 6. The Hastings fleet was grounded for several months while Handley Page re-engineered the elevator mechanism and inserted larger bolts. The original bolts holding the elevators had turned crystalline and were as brittle as glass, causing the elevators to drop off. The cause of TG610’s crash at Thorney was said to be a swing on landing: maybe the same problem? This Hastings was piloted by Flt Lt Gregg.

A drawing of the modification Q Fred Grisley worked in the Hawker experimental department in 1954/55, and recalls two streamlined sheet-metal half-shells to be riveted either side of the rear fuselage of a Hunter in order to area-rule it. He left soon after and has heard nothing about it since — were they ever tested and if so with what result?

A One of a number of Hunters used for trials, Mk 1 WT571 was fitted with bulged fairings, but the increase in performance was disappointing and presumably this aircraft reverted to standard.