Upwood AFB

The pilot’s instructions were to fly from Upwood to Bicester 53 miles, Bicester to Northampton, 25 miles and back to base 33 ½ miles. At a time when the aeroplane should have been near Northampton it was seen flying in an easterly direction 20 miles SE of the scheduled course and close to Cranfield Aerodrome where night flying was taking place. When opposite the wireless telegraphy station the machine was seen to stagger. Five seconds later at about 1500 feet and while still in flying position it lost speed and spun to the ground. The aeroplane struck the ground at a moderate speed and came to a stop pointing east, the engines were not at the time. From its position and the proximity of trees immediately behind it could be judged to have been flattening out, probably in a left hand spin. Fire occurred immediately and destroyed all the centre of the machine. All safety belts were burnt. One body was found in the navigator’s compartment and one in the gunner’s cockpit. The third, that of the pilot, was lying face down 72 yards east of the wreckage and he had evidently fallen from a considerable height. His parachute was unopened and was on the ground 4 feet away; the harness was free. The rip- cord had not been pulled. No parts broken or otherwise were found to show the circumstances under which he left the machine. The engines were extensively damaged by fire were stripped but appeared to have been in good order at the time of the accident. Examination of the pilot’s parachute harness showed that the release ring had not been turned and while in the locked position had been driven back by direct impact on the front. This had forced the spin- loaded plunger out through the aluminium casing and had released the catches and then the harness. From this it may be seen that the harness was in position on the pilot’s striking the ground.
Source:
http://www.rafupwood.co.uk/17otulosses.html
http://www.mackz.net/cm_samplearticles.htm#local%20hero

The pilot was engaged in a solo training flight out from RAF Upwood. A minute after takeoff, one of the engine suffered a power loss. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot P/O N. C. Green escaped uninjured.

The pilot departed RAF Upwood on a solo training flight. An engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed in an open field located in Whitchurch and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot P/O A. B. Smith was uninjured.

The crew departed RAF Upwood on a navigation exercice. An engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located in Newnham and was damaged beyond repair. All three crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt E. Kibble,
Sgt H. C. Downes,
Sgt D. Gooding.

The pilot departed RAF Upwood on a local solo training flight. En engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in a field located in Great Raveley, some three km southwest of RAF Upwood. The pilot escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
F/O Walter Harry Powdrell, pilot.

The airplane departed RAF Upwood on a training mission. While cruising at an altitude of 20,000 feet, the pilot radioed 'breaking up' and soon afterwards eye witnesses saw the Blenheim falling in a series of uneven rolls and slowly disintegrating. The main debris fell into the tinplate works area at Cwmafan, in the Afan Valley, 8 miles east south east of Swansea. The pilot bailed out and survived while both other occupants were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Victor Albert Bain, pilot,
Sgt William Hubert Wheeler, observer,
AC2 Sidney Boulton, wireless operator and air gunner.

The crew was engaged in a training exercise and departed RAF Upwood in the morning. En route, an engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. After touchdown, the aircraft hit a hedge and came to rest. All four occupants were unhurt and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (17th OTU):
Sgt M. H. Farmer +3.

The twin engine airplane departed RAF Upwood on a navigation exercice. It crashed in unknown circumstances into the Tremadog Bay, Wales. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Ian Alan Mead, pilot,
Sgt Arthur Raymond Jackson, observer,
AC2 Roy South, wireless operator and air gunner.

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF Upwood. After landing, the pilot mistakenly retracted the landing gear instead of raising the flaps. This caused the aircraft to slid on its belly and to be damaged beyond repair. The pilot was uninjured.
Crew:
S/L Hurll Fontayne Chester, pilot.

The airplane crashed upon takeoff from RAF Upwood for unknown reasons. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Crew:
Sgt J. D. Stein, pilot.