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V3137

Posted by Ross McNeill on Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:39:00 AM

In reply top Either posted by Paul McMillan on Thu Jul 31, 2003 09:36:26 AM

Hi Paul,

The remains of Caribou can be found just off the harbour but it is Cabot that is normally described.

G-AFCU, named Cabot, was impressed from Imperial Airways in March 1940. On 5th of May both Caribou and Cabot had just landed from Harstad with F/Lt Stone and F/Lt Long at the controls when they were spotted by Do.17s from 1(F)/120. F/Lt Stone managed to start Cabot's engines but ran aground while taxying.

The survivors from both crews used two motor boats to tow Cabot to some steep cliffs several miles along the coast but they were again spotted and bombed by 1(F)/120. The crews were later evacuated along with other troops.

Cabot was delivered to Imperial Airways in March 1939 and took part in the second of Imperial Airways' trans-Atlantic experiment into air to air flight refuelling. On 5th and 6th August both Caribou and Cabot, flew from Southampton to New York via Foynes, Botwood and Montreal. This was the first in a series of flights where air mail was carried on scheduled flights and the aircraft were refuelled in the air by a Handley Page Harrow tanker aircraft.

Regards
Ross

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