Vickers Wellington X3707
0.1 miles away
Lothian
CraigLockhart View (Edinburgh area) Wellington Memorial
CraigLockhart View (Edinburgh area), Edinburgh / Lothian
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
Type
Small concrete cairn with metal plaque detailing names of airmen
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationVerified Location
CraigLockhart View (Edinburgh area), Edinburgh / Lothian, City of Edinburgh
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What Happened
This crash involved not a routine bomber but a Wellington being used for top-secret radar research. On 14 December 1942, Wellington X3707 took off from RAF Defford in Worcestershire -- home of the Telecommunications Research Establishment, where Britain developed its airborne radar systems -- bound for RAF Turnhouse (now Edinburgh Airport). On board were four RAF crew and one American signals officer, 1st Lt Kaulis of the USAAC, reflecting the close Anglo-American collaboration on radar technology. As the aircraft approached Edinburgh it suffered engine failure. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on the allotments in the Happy Valley area of Craiglockhart, beside the Union Canal. The aircraft struck the Allan Park Bridge (now a footbridge) and burst into flames. All five crew were killed. The secret nature of the mission meant the crash received minimal contemporary publicity. Warrant Officer McFadyen and Flight Sergeant McGregor were both Scottish, buried in Glasgow and Ballingry respectively. The American officer's burial location has not been confirmed.
Community Connection
Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.
Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
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Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Vickers Wellington
Serial Number
X3707
Squadron
RAF Bomber Command
Date of Loss
WW2
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Engine failure; aircraft struck Allan Park Bridge while descending
Crew (6 members)
About the Crew
F/O Thomas Lennox French(age 24)Pilot
Killed when Wellington X3707 struck Allan Park Bridge and burst into flames while attempting an emergency landing in the Happy Valley area of Craiglockhart.
A 24-year-old pilot from the RAFVR, French was flying a top-secret radar research mission from RAF Defford (home of the Telecommunications Research Establishment) to RAF Turnhouse when engine failure forced the emergency landing attempt.
W/O Andrew McFadyen(age 26)Observer
From Glasgow, Scotland
Killed in the crash. McFadyen was Scottish and was buried in Glasgow.
Flt Sgt Charles McGregor(age 23)W/Op Air Gunner
From Ballingry, Fife
Killed in the crash. McGregor was Scottish and was buried in Ballingry, Fife.
Flt Sgt John Robert Harper(age 29)Radar Operator
From Pickering, Yorkshire
Killed in the crash. As a radar operator, Harper was working with the secret airborne radar technology being developed at the Telecommunications Research Establishment.
1st Lt S. Kaulis(age 26)Signaller
Killed in the crash. Kaulis was a USAAC signals officer aboard as part of the close Anglo-American collaboration on radar technology. His burial location has not been confirmed.
An American signals officer from the USAAC, Kaulis's presence on the aircraft reflected the close Anglo-American wartime collaboration on radar development.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Edinburgh City Branch, Legion Scotlandlegion scotland
Local remembrance and memorial support
Further Reading
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed account of Wellington III X3707 from the Telecommunications Research Establishment at RAF Defford. The aircraft was testing secret radar equipment when a port engine wiring fault and fuel pump defect caused engine failure. The aircraft crashed into a house garden in Craiglockhart View at approximately 11:45 on 14 December 1942.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Wellington III X3707's testing for secret radar equipment at RAF Defford, including an engine fault causing crash.
TRE aircraft testing secret radar equipmentPort engine wiring fault near carburettor discoveredFuel pump had foreign matter blocking delivery below 1500 RPMCrashed into back garden of house in Craiglockhart View
The ScotsmanRetrieved 2026-03-23
Feature article in The Scotsman about the day a bomber crash-landed in Craiglockhart, Edinburgh. Covers the 2012 memorial unveiling and the history of the secret radar testing mission that ended in tragedy.
What you'll find: Explore the poignant story behind the Wellington Memorial's unveiling at CraigLockhart View.
Memorial unveiled 11 November 2012Timed for 70th anniversary and Remembrance Sunday
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
Memorial record for the Craiglockhart Memorial Cairn commemorating the crew of Wellington X3707. Small concrete cairn with metal plaque in Craiglockhart Gardens, Edinburgh.
What you'll find: Memorial record for Craiglockhart Memorial Cairn honoring Wellington X3707 crew at Wellington Memorial.
Located in Craiglockhart Gardens, Edinburgh EH14 1BSConcrete cairn with inscribed metal plate
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
Imperial War Museums register entry for the CraigLockhart View Wellington X3707 memorial in Edinburgh. Records the memorial commemorating the five crew killed including the American signals officer.
What you'll find: Explore the Memorial of CraigLockhart View Wellington X3707 at Imperial War Museums Register, honoring fallen crew members.
IWM memorial reference 97912Five crew including 1st Lt Kaulis USAAC
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
The Scotsman (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM (memorial/97912) (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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