R.I.P. James McCudden V.C.
99 years ago today Capt James McCudden V.C. died in a tragic flying accident that should never have happened.
Somehow his brand new SE 5a had been fitted with the superseded Air intake which had caused problems of the engine choking in tight turns & inverted flight.
A very sad end for one of the truly great Ace British Pilots from WW1.
Agreed
A sad end for a legendary pilot but he was unbeaten in the air.
Sapiens qui vigilat... "He is wise who watches"
The Germans Aces couldn't down him, but his ground crew did
Karl
It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus
Not an uncommon phenomenon -- many great aces were taken out through non-combat incidents: Richard Bong (crashed a P-80 prototype); Hans-Joachim Marseille (mechanical failure, leading to accident during bailout); Nishizawa Hiroyoshi (transport he was a passenger on was shot down, so technically he was a non-combatant in that fight).
Statistical failures will catch up with the best.Originally Posted by csadn
Karl
It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus
It should be pointed out that some assessments are that he was tired and slightly lost and made a classic flying mistake - "if the engine fails on take-off never turn back, always continue in a straight line to make a forced landing".
It appears he forgot this and turned back and the machine stalled out of the sky - which is why all pilots in those days were told NOT to turn back.
Very sad.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_McCudden#Death
The above discusses death theories including a failed stunt, the carb or a power failure leading to a stall.
Barry
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