Memorial for bomber crew.

Discussion in 'Postwar' started by Peter Clare, Sep 7, 2008.

  1. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  3. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    The Washingtons were returned to the US 18 months before the first Valiant squadron was operational.Purely a stop gap and operational alongside the Lincoln B2 and never intended as part of a policy to re-equip Bomber Command, the Washingtons were loaned to the RAF at no cost due to the financial state of the country and because of the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950.As it was, the government had to increase its defence budget by £100 million to meet the commmitment of the Korean war.

    As more and more Canberra squadrons became operational from 1951 to stand down selected Lincoln B2 squadrons,it was recognised that the Washingtons were no longer required.

    One problem with the utilisation of the Washington was that aircrews and ground crews of Bomber Command had a training structure based on the Lincoln B2 and had to have "on the job" training on their particular station to convert to the Washington.

    I am sure that somewhere in RAF records will be the technical reason for the loss of the aircraft.
     

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