While reading Metro today there was an article about a Dive School in Malat called Selkies
The article mentions a Mosquito wreck, which I though was a bit strange as mostly wood.. But I investigated online anyway
and you can find a video of it here and the wreckage is quite substantial
http://dived.me/2010/09/de-havilland-mosquito-wreck-unidentified-near-marsascala-malta/
It is supposed to be
Mosquito PR.16 NS531 of 728 Sqdn which was lost on 26.3.49. It crashed about 1/2 mile off Delimara Point, Malta while returning from mail run to Bone, starboard engine gave trouble soon after take-off, struck water nearing Malta;
Pilot Lt (Acting) Michael David Stanley HMS falcon Killed
Observer Lt (Acting) R. Marshall OK
A Sea Otter was also lost the same date trying to rescue the crew
26.3.49 Sea Otter ASR.2 JM880 728 Sqdn off Malta
Landed in rough sea in attempt to rescue crew of ditched Mosquito NS531, engine stopped, aircraft damaged then driven on to rocky shore and broken up.
Lieutenant (A) C.H. Wines OK
Observer, Air Radar Engineer H. Barker OK
The Selkies facebook page references the following aircraft off Malta
Bristol Beaufighter (38m)
Mosquito (40m)
Blenheim Bomber (42m)
By: critter592 - 3rd March 2012 at 01:21
Very interesting footage.
A quick search on the Armed Forces Memorial website suggests that Pilot Lt (Acting) Stanley is still with his aircraft – His entry on the Roll Of Honour gives no grave reference.
By: Spiteful - 2nd March 2012 at 19:37
Thanks, interesting!
Makes me wonder if anything further has happened to the wrecks found during the NATO search a few years ago (Sea fury, Firefly?). They looked well preserved. Would really love to seem some Italian WWII aircraft located and recovered…not many around.
By: pistonrob - 2nd March 2012 at 19:12
very interesting. you can even see the cockpit canopy breaking through the floor of the upside down Mossi.
i think near the end of the text that comes with the video where the Sea Otter is mentioned for the last time is abit confused, unless i am of course! in my old age!!
By: richw_82 - 2nd March 2012 at 17:54
Well, that shows pretty conclusively how much metal there is in a Mossie.
There’s a Beaufighter in the Med, (Naxos?) which is pretty complete. Its amazing how well things seem to survive out there.
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March 2, 2012 at 4:25 pm