James McCudden's Death

retread · 4 February 2008, 01:09 PM

After a prolonged absence from the Aerodrome I read the Voss thread straight through. Fascinating in spite of the dirty laundry. In it a point was alluded to regarding

James McCudden's death which I would like to follow up on.
I have accepted as fact that McCudden was killed as a result of engine failure during takeoff combined with his attempt to turn back to recover the field at Boffles Aerodrome near Auxi-le Chateau. I have held this belief for so long I can't even pinpoint its origins. Yet it is stated in the above mentioned thread that at least one RFC pilot was contempuous of the idea that McCudden , who was doubtlessly the consummate pro, would make such an amateur mistake after losing his engine.
The only book that I have specifically concerning McCudden is his own "Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps." Apparently a book titled "McCudden VC" by Christopher Cole has a good deal of information concerning his accidental death but I am unable to locate a copy via the internet.
Anyone care to shine a little light on this particular corner of my ignorance?

P.S. Due to recent experience I hesitate in dubbing this thread "McCudden Was Attempting to Land When He Was Killed..." Bad mojo.

buzz1941 · 4 February 2008, 02:06 PM

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sear...n+VC&x=66&y=14

Kilian · 4 February 2008, 02:25 PM

Found this also buzz but thats an Albatros book from Alex not the Cole book. I have pmed him some 3 sellers. Which should not mean the Alb one isnt worthy i havent read either.

4 February 2008, 04:33 PM

Hi,

Kilian is right -there are currently three of Cole's book on Addall's website:

AddALL Used and Out of Print book search

The cheapest being roughly $43 US (this book is being sold by a seller in Australia).

I wonder what Alex thinks of this book, as it was written some twenty years before his work.

Best regards,

Darren

Gregvan · 4 February 2008, 04:52 PM

Hi Retread,

I will assume you've read what Alex Revell has to say about McCudden's sad death in his excellent "High in the Empty Blue"? It would seem to me this must be a better and more up to date source of info than Cole's book - which I will admit I haven't seen.

Greg

retread · 4 February 2008, 05:11 PM

Thanks Gents. I have ordered a copy of "McCudden VC" as linked through Kilian. It is appreciated.
If anyone has particulars they are aware of and would like to share regarding McCudden's demise I'm sure there would be a great deal of interest. He was the quiet lion of WW1 aviation and I get the impression that a good many others beside myself recognize that.

retread · 4 February 2008, 05:35 PM

Greg,
No sir. While I am aware of the heavyweight reputation of the book I have found it about as easy to locate as Neal O'Connor's Vol. 1 "Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany". Copies just aren't out there for less than $150.00 and more generally between $200.00 and $300.00+. If I find something for less than $100, or even slightly over I'd probably weaken. No luck yet.

Incidently, really nice link provided by wingedwarrior.

Pips · 4 February 2008, 08:33 PM

I remember reading that when McCudden took-off he did a high climbing turn, stalled and crashed. No mention of engine failure and attempting to turn bakc and land.

Do we actually have any eye witness accounts to the accident?

Kirk R. Lowry · 4 February 2008, 08:52 PM

Bonjour retread

Much has been written about the death of McCudden, but determining the cause is difficult as, though hard to believe, no official report was issued. I recall discussion about features of the engine in S.E.5a C1126, particularly an air filter, that some suspect were of significance to the crash of McCudden, but, it would be best to wait for the return of Alex Revell.

As for McCudden V.C., yes, whatever has been learned since publication is not included, but the work by Cole is a fine biography (with extensive detail pertaining to the crash including statements made by witnesses) ... though expensive ... the price on the dust jacket ... 50s net.

Salut!
Kirk

retread · 3 March 2008, 03:20 PM

Finished up "McCudden VC" and have drawn myself that much further out of the primordial ooze toward the light. The following is information gleaned from that book and for those who, like myself, were/are not aware.
While

James McCudden did not die as a result of a engine loss at takeoff and turn to recover the field scenario it is interesting that his brother William almost certainly did. William was the first of the McCudden boys to gain his wings, becoming the RFC's fourth NCO to achieve that mark. May 1st, 1915 William had 200+ hours under his belt and was acting as an instructor for newly forming 13 Squadron. Late in the day he took Lt. Norman H. Read (an American from Massachusetts in RFC service) up in an Bleriot for an instructional flight. The Bleriot's engine spluttered upon takeoff but McCudden did not abort. At an altitude of 150 feet the engine gave out entirely, the aircraft was seen to turn to the left , stall completely , and fall vertically into the ground . William McCudden was killed and Norman Read suffered serious injuries but recovered.
As I stated at the beggining of this thread I always believed James McCudden died as a result of a engine loss at takeoff, turn to land , stall and crash. I am not sure where I picked this up but I evidently was not the only one so informed. With William McCudden dying in just this way it is not difficult to imagine that this may have been the origin of the rumor.
It would be interesting to discover what became of Norman Read . According to "Wings of Honor" a Lt. Norman E. Read (as opposed to Norman H. Read) transfered from the RFC to the USAS to serve as an instructor at Tailiaferro Field in Texas later in the war. It would seem they are likely one and the same, anyone know for sure?