Lt. F. Fenwick & AM2 J H Underwood, k. March 24th 1919

[wwrsimon]

Hello

 

On March 24th 1919, Lieut. Frederick Fenwick and Air Mechanic 2nd Class John Henry Underwood were killed whilst demonstrating wireless communications at the Newcastle Aircraft Exhibition. Their aircraft struck the cable of a stationary balloon, killing both airmen. Newspapers at the time describe it as a Bristol Fighter.

 

Can anyone possibly give a serial for this aircraft?

 

Many thanks,

 

Regards

 

Simon

[pete-c]

13 minutes ago, wwrsimon said:

Hello

 

On March 24th 1919, Lieut. Frederick Fenwick and Air Mechanic 2nd Class John Henry Underwood were killed whilst demonstrating wireless communications at the Newcastle Aircraft Exhibition. Their aircraft struck the cable of a stationary balloon, killing both airmen. Newspapers at the time describe it as a Bristol Fighter.

 

Can anyone possibly give a serial for this aircraft?

 

Many thanks,

 

Regards

 

Simon

 

Simon,

 

The machine in question was Bristol F2B F4361.

[wwrsimon]

Thank you Pete, much appeciated.

 

Regards

Simon

[pete-c]

5 minutes ago, wwrsimon said:

Thank you Pete, much appeciated.

 

Regards

Simon

 

Just re-checking my source (Cross and Cockade International Journal Vol 42/4, 2011) I see that the accident is given as occurring on March 23rd, not the 24th.   Fenwick had apparently survived an earlier crash, at Doncaster, in which he wrecked Armstrong Whitworth FK8 B5794, whilst on a delivery flight.

[wwrsimon]

Thanks for the extra information about the FK8 Pete.

 

The report in the Hartlepool Mail from Tuesday 25th reports that it happened the previous day.

 

Regards

Simon

[Starlight]

The date against the details held for F4361 gives the date of the accident as being the 24th March 1919.

 

Regards

Steve

[mickdavis]

I had not noticed that typo in the CCI article when proof reading it - yes the date should be the 24th, not the 23rd. The balloon in question is almost certainly the one shown in the great British Pathe News footage of the event at Newcastle. It also includes the 2nd prototype AW Ara and the colourful NWAFIS Camel of Capt OAW Manning taking off. One to check out at 

https://www.britishpathe.com/video/royal-air-force-exhibition/query/Newcastle+RAF

[pete-c]

2 hours ago, mickdavis said:

I had not noticed that typo in the CCI article when proof reading it - yes the date should be the 24th, not the 23rd. The balloon in question is almost certainly the one shown in the great British Pathe News footage of the event at Newcastle. It also includes the 2nd prototype AW Ara and the colourful NWAFIS Camel of Capt OAW Manning taking off. One to check out at 

https://www.britishpathe.com/video/royal-air-force-exhibition/query/Newcastle+RAF

 

 

Thanks for clarifying that for us Mick.