Banshee: A gripping Cold War aviation thriller by Lindsay Rumbold

Author:Lindsay Rumbold [Rumbold, Lindsay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Resolute Books
Published: 2024-09-14T00:00:00+00:00

Wednesday 5 August 1964

That morning, Gordon walked out of his boss’s office and headed towards the hangar and the briefing room. Time to officially pass on the news.

On his way back from Sophie’s, he’d hammered the Bonnie through various Warwickshire lanes, only turning towards Martinford when she coughed and spluttered, letting him know her main tank was on fumes.

On returning to Martinford, he’d tried to sleep, without much success. Eventually, he gave up, had a cold shower, and got dressed. He’d like to say he was ready to face the day, but in truth, nothing could make him feel ready to face what today held.

As he walked in, all conversation stopped. All heads turned to him: sadness, and unanswered questions, etched on their faces.

‘Good morning, everybody.’ Gordon cleared his throat. ‘The morning briefing for today is XM568 crashed yesterday, and all 449 Squadron activities are suspended. No work is to happen on any 449 Squadron aircraft; no flying for us today.’

A low buzz of chatter filled the room, but he carried on. ‘As for tomorrow? We’ll find out then. The Board of Inquiry will be here at some point. You may be called as witnesses, you may not, but if you are, just answer their questions honestly.’ At some point, he’d be interviewed by the RAF Board of Inquiry. It looked like it’d be made up of officers from nearby RAF Gaydon; it was a rule that officers from the affected station couldn’t run an accident investigation. He’d be surprised if they didn’t call in Avro – well, Hawker Siddeley – as well, and maybe even the civilian Accidents Investigation Branch.

Gordon paused and scanned the room: the grapevine had no doubt worked overtime overnight, but he didn’t relish what he had to say next.

‘My boss told me this morning they’ve found all the crew.’ His throat tightened, but he managed to keep his voice level. ‘Flight Lieutenants Markham, Farrell, and Duffy, and Flying Officer Grice were confirmed dead at the scene. Flight Lieutenant Campbell passed away in hospital last night.’ Apparently, Brian had been found still strapped to his ejector seat; Burroughs hadn’t mentioned anything about the others.

Judging by the shock on some of their faces, not all of them had heard that.

‘We don’t know what happened yet,’ he added, ‘but we’re to support the investigation however we can. For today, though…’ He sighed. ‘Time to do all the jobs we don’t normally get to do. I hear stores needs a tidy and the toilets need a mop.’

There was a faint chuckle and groan.

‘That’s all.’ Gordon gave a sad half-smile. ‘Dismissed.’

Hunt, at the front, caught Gordon’s eye and stepped forward as the ranks began to spread out. ‘Are you all right, boss?’ he asked, so quietly Gordon almost didn’t hear him.

Gordon blew out a long breath and shrugged. ‘Didn’t sleep last night. Saw Fraser in hospital. At the end.’

Hunt nodded. Sadness shadowed his eyes. ‘I’m sorry. Where did she go down?’

‘Less than ten minutes flying time from here. The other side of Long Itchington.

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