I served on FEC's 1960-62 as a 'flying spanner' on TG507 and WJ333, both modified to VIP standard.

I was very interested to read of Hastings engines cutting out. One morning I arrived late to work as TG 507 was taxying out for a post service air test. We heard the engines being checked out at the end of the runway, a slight delay, then power for take-off, we thought, a few seconds later, silence! We waited for the crash, nothing. Then we were told by the tower to go and tow her back to dispersal. After much investigation, it was discovered that the Graviner system had been incorrectly set during the service, and the vibration of the engines had set it off, killing all four engines! Fortunately there had been a mag. drop, and the pilot had tried to 'burn' it off, we estimated that had the mag. drop not been there, the aircraft would have just got airborne before the engines cut. To add to the drama, as there were insuficient 'ballast boxes available, half the squadron ground crew were on board.

regards Pete Flounders

JohnC wrote:

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This is one of four complete airframes in existence this one in a museum in Berlin, showing the type in the 'flying' mode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj9JLPdyi10&feature=player_detailpage

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 The airframe that survives in the Berlin Museum is actually TG503.

TG507 was one of the aircraft converted from C1 to MET1 spec but it probably remained in store, unused, until being returned to a C1 standard with a partial VIP interior fit for use by FEAF.

By the mid 60's it had been allocated to 51 Sqn where it operated along side their other Hastings TG530 out of RAF Wyton. 51 Sqn also operated Canberra's and Comets on ELINT signals intelligence gathering operations but officially they were being used for 'calibration' duties. At one time it had spiral blue and white spinners and later red spinners, the bar fitted when it was a VIP aircraft remained installed it is said. It was struck off charge on the 23rd April 1969.

Does anyone know where it ended its days, broken up at Wyton perhaps?

   Richard