Dates: 1980s

2009.48.1

Short report by Peter G Rackliff (MAO 518 Squadron 1943-1945) of his private investigation into the fatal mid-air collision between two Halifax meteorolgical survey planes over Tiree during World War II, in which all 16 crew members died. Draws on evidence from the official `Report on a Flying Accident (Form 765c)` – August 1944, `Weather conditions and Air tests`, extracts from independent eyewitness accounts of crofter Hugh MacLean, Barrapol and shepherd David McClounnan, and extracts from the `Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry (Form 412)`.

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In his covering note, the author writes, “This accident has always troubled me; a chance in a million or more. I have done my best with what was available… With P/O Organ having just broken out of cloud, he could still have been losing height, whereas we know that P/O Turner had been ‘climbing up’ beyond the  runway. If Organ had not banked to starboard it’s possible that his aircraft would have just passed beneath S-Sugar. They were so close that his maneouvre ensured contact with his port wing, but it was a natrual reaction to turn away, in a vain effort to avoid a collision” . Includes ring-bound updated version donated 17 Aug 2014.

2009.32.2

Collection of documents about HMS Sturdy donated by Lt. Cmdr. Mike Gibson in 2008

Collection of texts and photographs about the HMS Sturdy that ran aground off Sandaig in 1940. Includes text of personal reminiscences by Harry Springett, letter to Mr Springett from Donald MacLean (Tiree), letter from Dawn Springett (Harry`s daughter, Australia) 2007 regarding his memoirs. Photographs of HMS Sturdy, seamen, graves at Soroby Cemetry of those that perished, the shore where the wreck occurred, letter from Mike Gibson to C. MacKinnon (clerk of Sandaig Common Grazing) re erection of memorial, Navy News web page (2005) about HMS Sturdy by Mike Gibson, extract from “The Hebrides at War” by Mike Hughes, emails between Mike Gibson, John Holliday and Ian Gillies (2008) re erection of memorial. Earlier version of Harry Springett`s recollections added in 2011 (E01206).