Stirling N3640 Article

The aircraft involved was a Short Stirling Mk.1, ordered under contract 763825/38 and assembled by Short Bros Ltd at Rochester. Taken on charge by No.7 Squadron on 3rd August 1940, it was first of its type to enter squadron service and also the type's first operational loss. It was declared ‘Category W’ [write-off] following a flying accident on 29th September 1940, with Bristol Hercules II engine No.’s 126180, 127552, 127546 & 127608 also declared ‘Category W’. The cause given for its loss was engine failure, during a cross-country flight from RAF Leeming to assess fuel consumption, which resulted in the aircraft force landing with the undercarriage retracted. After touching down the aircraft ran through a stone wall and came to rest in the next field, with the crew sustaining minor injuries. There has been some confusion over this loss, after one source (W.R. Chorley RAF Bomber Command losses, Vol.1) suggested that the engine failure was the result of "friendly fire" when an anti-aircraft battery on the Isle of Man opened fire on the Stirling, damaging two engines - unfortunately this version of events then went on to be repeated, apperently unchecked, in several subsequent written works. However, there does not appear to be any primary source material to suport this version of events and it is not mentioned, either in the Squadron's records (ORB) or the loss record card (Form 1180), so can be confidently discounted and is only mentioned here for clarification.

The wall that the aircraft collided with was in fact not just a field boundary, but actaully a substantial retaining wall, reinforcing an apparent ancient riverbank and meaning that there is a significant height difference of several feet between the two fields. When the aircraft came through this it would have dropped quite suddenly and eyewitness reports suggest this broke the aircraft's back and brought it to a sudden halt. The wall was later repaired by army engineers using a concrete consolidation layer which means the repaired section is still clearly visible to this day.

Our survey of the crash site was carried out with the permission of the landowner and we soon found that the ground was very hard and stony, with relatively little topsoil, particulalrly in the upper field where the aircraft first touched down. This meant that very few fragments from the aircraft had peneterated the ground in this field, making it quite difficult to follow its path. The few finds did however, appear to indicate a path from the top left hand corner (standing with the damaged wall to our backs) and perhaps even to another field beyond. The aircarft then seems to have stopped abruptly after coming through the wall with fragments being surprisingly localised and with badly corroded and broken .303 ammunition being the most frequent find. All finds were logged and GPS coordinades recorded, with any viable ammunition being suitably disposed of.

Additional Information:

Sergeant A.A. Griffin had been injured in the crash of Armstrong Whitworth Whitley K8984 in eastern France on 27th October 1939 whilst serving as an Air Gunner with No. 51 Squadron. He was also apperently more seriously injured in the crash of Stirling N3640 than records indicate, with a relative stating that he recieved a broken leg, with a compound fracture and was taken off front line duties. This injury later led to complications ultimately resulting in amputation.

Flying Officer Bradley was killed on the 10th April 1945 while serving with No.27 Squadron, having been promoted to the rank of Wing Commander.

Type	Serial	Unit	Base	Duty	Crew
Stirling Mk. 1	N3640	No. 7 Squadron	RAF Leeming	Cross country practice flight	7

Name	Age	Position	Fate
Flying Officer Terence Patrick Armstrong Bradley (DFC)	23	Pilot	I.
Sergeant R. Jackson			I.
Sergeant A.A. Griffin			I.
Pilot Officer J.W. Murray			I.
Sergeant A.C. Nicholson			I.
Sergeant E.L. Roberts			I.
Aircraftman 2nd Class J.F. Woods			I.


The wall demolished by the Stirling as it slid across the fields - repaired section is clearly visible due to repair work utilising concrete to stabilise the new section of wall.	Lower field in which Stirling N3640 came to rest - numerous broken .303 cases and bullets were found in the area between the two figures, indicating that a turret was probably badly damaged.


Vacuum Pump maker's plate, pipe clamps and pipe and control rod fittings, most with SB (Short Bros.) maker's marks, with a toggle from a Type 5C/543 panel switch to the centre	Map of crash site, showing find distribution of artefats associated with the aircraft.