Saturday, December 15, 2007

Flt Lt Thomas 'Tommy' B.O. Evans 1923-1952


Flt Lt T.B.O. "Tommy" Evans was a very experienced pilot with 2479 hours flying experience, some 57 of which were on the Canberra, which he first flew in February 1951. He had been selected as one of the company's display pilots and at Farnborough in 1951, "Flight" magazine noted how expertly he coped with a burst tyre on landing, due to brake seizure on the Canberra B.5 at the show.

He was killed on Tuesday 25th March 1952 in the crash of Canberra Mk.2 WD991. Shortly after take-off the aircraft was seen at 800ft flying straight and level at high speed. It suddenly entered a steep dive and hit the ground. A spanner was found in the elevator control circuit.
He is buried at Lytham St Annes Park Cemetery.