FighterControl

B-50 Formations .
Possible the ultimate old serial request. but anything is possible
Taken from a post on MSF
Over Harrow 22 March 1952. 3 waves of B-50s. 10 in each wave. Track 220 Time1505. Harassed by Meteors and Sabres. Approx 30,000ft.
At 1750 one B-50 Track 040 No4 engine feathered. 2,000ft. Large O on fin.
Any serials appreciated - or are you all too young?
Regards
Eric Bucklow

It's not often that I get to say this these days, but, "Yes, too young"

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Although I was living in South Ruislip at the time, also "yes, too young."

eagle driver wrote:B-50 Formations .
Possible the ultimate old serial request. but anything is possible
Taken from a post on MSF
Over Harrow 22 March 1952. 3 waves of B-50s. 10 in each wave. Track 220 Time1505. Harassed by Meteors and Sabres. Approx 30,000ft.
At 1750 one B-50 Track 040 No4 engine feathered. 2,000ft. Large O on fin.
Any serials appreciated - or are you all too young?
Regards
Eric Bucklow

These were from the 97BW (based at Biggs AFB, Tx) on 90-day rotational training in the UK with 44 B-50D's, 43 of which arrived at Lakenheath in the first week of March'52 and 19 KB-29P's of the wing's 97Air Ref Sqdn which deployed to Upper Heyford. An additional B-50 failed to make it into Lakenheath and was badly damaged in an emergency landing at RAF Hethel - this was later repaired at Burtonwood and returned to service in Aug'52. At the time of the above sighting all 3 B-50 Sqdn's, 340, 341 and 342 were still operating from Lakenheath but in April the 97BW, plus one of the BS, moved to Mildenhall for the remainder of the deployment. The a/c returned to Biggs in the first week of June.
Although I have all the serials of those deployed unfortunately I'm not able to confirm which a/c were overhead Harrow on 22 March.

A video relating to this story has come to light , although not taken in the actual year it does explain what was occurring during these exercises. posted from MSF with thanks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dMog3T3CAc

Just read an account in a Robert Jackson book of a B-52 which launched from Biggs AFB and was accidently shot down during an exercise by an a/a missile. All missiles on the two fighters, F-100s, were checked off as inactive, but it was later found that moisture build-up in one completed an electrical circuit which caused it to set off on its path of destruction.
Roger

eagle driver wrote:A video relating to this story has come to light , although not taken in the actual year it does explain what was occurring during these exercises. posted from MSF with thanks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dMog3T3CAc

Great film, they got the date wrong though, its 1949 rather than '48. The 92BG, based at Spokane AFB, Washington (later renamed Fairchild) only came to the UK once with its B-29's - Sculthorpe, Feb - May'49. During this time it was attached to the 3rd Air Division which exercised operational control over its 3 Sqdn's of B-29's, each equipped with 10 a/c - hence the reference to the 3rd Air Division in the title.

The take off scenes look like they were shot at Sculthorpe and 3 a/c that can be identified - 44-61617, BF-010 (44-62010) and 44-62218 were all part of that deployment.

Most of the 92nd's missions took them to the bombing range at Heligoland but I suspect film of the `attacking` Meteor's/Vampires was taken during the units Operational Readiness Tests when waves of B-29's tested the UK's air defences. For example, ORT's on the 27, 28 and 30 April saw the 92nd launch 30, 29 and 30 a/c respectively - impressive for a type which had lots of engine problems.