Crashed on landing and caught fire at RAF Kai Tak 27/07/1953 this aircraft was on the strength of 53 Squadron at the time of the crash when it hit a hut, sadly one person on the ground was killed in this incident.
Another incident took place at Kai Tak airfield. In those days a pilot had to fly as co-pilot into Kai Tak for the first time and then do some circuits and bumps next day under supervision of the experienced pilot. The Hastings had pneumatic brake sacs and these could overheat and cause brake failure. The drill was to do a touch and go between each landing and we had done this and were making a landing when the pilot found we had no brakes - the brake sacs had burnt out. The co-pilot tried to raise the undercarriage but couldn't as he had nothing to push in to release the solenoid that prevented accidental raising, while I was busy turning off fuel ****s, shutting down the engines, etc. We were headed for the harbour but a fortunate bump turned us away from it and towards a boat-building shed. From my window I saw dozens of Chinese workers running for their lives as we rushed towards them - finally hitting the shed with a tremendous bang.
No-one was hurt and we returned to Singapore in a Coastal Command Sunderland that had been taking part in the Korean War - but it was a year before the Hastings was repaired and able to fly back to the UK.
