YESTERDAY MARKED 50 years since an RAF Meteor jet crashed in Dunnikier Estate, Kirkcaldy.

The pilot, Flight Lieutenant M. J. Withey, of Malvern, Worcestershire, and Senior Aircraftman D. McLoughlin, of Glasgow, died on October 18, 1957, when their plane, based at West Raynham, Norfolk, came down after engine trouble.

They had been on their way to Leuchars after being diverted from Turnhouse—now Edinburgh airport—because of bad weather when the jet crashed only 100 yards or so short of Dunnikier House Hotel.

The pilot had informed Leuchars flying control that he was in difficulty just after 3pm but no more was heard before the crash at 3.15.

David Ferguson (65), who as a teenager witnessed the crash, said the men stayed with the plane to prevent it crashing in a built-up area and therefore were heroes.

Mr Ferguson was in the kitchen of his Templehall home when he saw the explosion. He said, “The whole house shook, and my pet dog hid under the table.”

He went to the scene later. “There was just a big hole in the ground with smoke coming out of it,” he said.

He said the co-pilot had hitched a lift on the plane, and added, “The authorities didn’t even know there were two people on board until they discovered 11 fingers.”

Although Mr Ferguson believes there should be some kind of memorial stone dedicated to the bravery of the crew, at present there is no plaque.

Chairwoman of Kirkcaldy Civic Society Mrs Anne Watters said not enough was known about the specific location of the crash.

She said she would raise the issue at the next meeting but added, “We have no intention of doing a plaque for it at the moment.”