READERS were quick to give the location of the crash involving a Douglas Dakota aircraft in west Oxfordshire in October 1951.

Philip Haynes, a retired policeman, from Witney, posed the question after being sent a picture of the crashed plane (Memory Lane, November 23).

Peter Lloyd, of Marston, Oxford, writes: “The incident occurred north of Woodstock when I was a schoolboy.

“The pilot managed to put the plane down in the pasture land adjacent to the River Glyme.

“All was OK until he ran out of grass and ended on the unclassified road that runs from what was in those days the A34 to the hamlet of Hordley, near Wootton.

“The fuselage ended up straddling the banks at each side of the road, but I do not remember any casualties.

“After school, with others, I visited the site which, as shown in the photograph, was being guarded by US servicemen.”

Another reader who saw the plane was John (Joe) Morton, of Abelwood Road, Long Hanborough.

He writes: “The aircraft came to rest just south east of what is called Stratford bridge. This crosses the River Glyme, that flows into Blenheim Lake.

“We arrived at the site quite soon after the crash, before it was secured, and were able to look up through a small door just aft and below the cockpit on the left-hand side of the plane.

“I guess, as a result of seeing this one, it became an iconic type – it has always been one of my favourites.

“Last summer, I visited Elvington airfield museum in Yorkshire and was able to sit in the cockpit of one that is on static display.

“The DC3 Dakota began service in time for the Second World War and I believe some are still airworthy and flying.”

Aviation historian Peter Davis, of Church Street, Bampton, tells me that the Dakota was from 82 Squadron, based at RAF Benson. The three crew, Sergeant Frederick Glenn, Sergeant Henry McGilly and Flight Sergeant Zbignien Sosnowski, were injured.

He writes: “At the time, 82 Squadron was engaged in photographic survey work in South and West Africa using Lancasters, with a few Dakotas on strength for transport support.

“Of nine Dakotas which served with 82 Squadron at Benson during this period, two others were lost due to crashes – one in Sudan in 1952 and a third in Tanganyika in 1950.

“Of interest is the fact that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster PA474 was with the squadron from September 1948 until August 1952.

“It has survived and continues to enthral crowds today.”

Fellow aviation enthusiast John Wilson, of York Road, Headington, tells me that the plane was on its way from Benson to Liverpool when it came down.

He believes that the aircraft may have taken part in the Berlin Airlift in 1948-9 during the Soviet blockade of West Berlin.