Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV P4848 of the Special Duties Flight, RAF, crashed on Ben Inner on the 8th November 1939

Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV

 

Kenneth Norman Masters Eyres Flight Lieutenant Pilot Killed

 

During the 8th November 1939 the Special Duties Flight, a unit which was testing radio and radar equipment among other things for the Air Ministry Research Establishment, were ferrying 5 aircraft, 4 Blenheims and 1 Battle, from Perth to RAF St Athan. The Battle landed at Blackpool due to poor weather while three of the Blenheims arrived safely at St Athan. The last aircraft, P4848, had not landed at any airfield and was reported as overdue.

The crash site was located more than a week later on the 17th November on the lower slopes of Ben Inner near Carsphairn. A guard was provided by No.4 AOS at West Freugh while “the special installation” was recovered by personnel from Air Ministry Research Establishment. The special installation was probably a Mk.II Airborne Interception Radar which was first fitted to Blenheims for testing during November 1939.

Engine at the crash site of Blenheim P4848 on the lower slopes of Ben Inner, Carsphairn
The largest item at the crash site is the remains of one of the aircraft’s Bristol Mercury engines in a boggy area.
Engine at the crash site of Blenheim P4848 on the lower slopes of Ben Inner, Carsphairn
Another view of the engine, looking North towards Green Hill.
Wreckage from Blenheim P4848 on the lower slopes of Ben Inner, Carsphairn
About 100 yards away are few scattered fragments of undercarriage framework and panels.
Wreckage from Blenheim P4848 on the lower slopes of Ben Inner, Carsphairn
These are some of the other scattered items which lie near those shown above.