Found these in the Somerset archives. Each is stamped on the back ‘HMS Dipper photographic section’, dated and given a negative number in the low 200s. Unfortunately there are only five photos. Has anyone heard of any others? I’m going to try the archive section at Yeovilton as soon as the holiday is over. HMS Dipper was at Henstridge, did all RNAS stations record their accidents? Having excavated a couple of their Seafires it would be very interesting to see contemperary photos.
By: ian_ - 11th April 2009 at 17:00
Thanks for the info, Lee. The photos are held by the Somerset County Archive in Taunton, these are only photos of photos, hence the poor quality and unattractive reflections. Very much looking forward to the revised edition of the book. Managed to get a copy through inter library loans but regrettably had to give it back. A very impressive piece of work. Main reason for going to Taunton was to look for Corsair JS652, very little to go on so any help much appreciated! Thanks, Ian.
By: Lee Howard - 11th April 2009 at 12:07
Nice photos. I have an feeling that I might have seen them before, though. Whereabouts did they come from?
Not sure what you mean by “Fleet Air Arm Losses”, but expect you mean “Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945”, Sturtivant/Burrow, Air-Britain (soon to be revised/reprinted, now Sturtivant/Burrow/Howard!). Second hand copies command some serious prices, from what I’ve seen.
The photos would suggest that the aircraft were probably written off; going on that, the only incidents that occurred around that time for 761 Sqn Seafire Ibs based at RNAS Henstridge (HMS Dipper) relate to:
PA106 & NX949 3.8.43
NX920 14.8.43
NX982 4.9.43
NX945 28.9.43
PA112 6.11.43
NX913 8.11.43 – hit a tree on approach – most likely the first photograph.
With regard to the “archive section at Yeovilton”, please be advised that the Records and Research Centre at FAAM is currently not taking researchers as they are heavily involved in producing the Fly Navy 100 exhibition exhibits.
Lee
By: ian_ - 11th April 2009 at 09:11
They look like take off/landing accidents as the gear is down. The two on the ground both had their serial numbers obscured, one by reflection and one by a guy in an Irvin jacket walking past. The dates on the back probably refer to the date of the accident so someone with ‘Fleet Air Arm Losses’ and a lot of time could probably pin them down. First is 19/11/43, second 20/11/43 or it could just be the date they wer printed.
By: Wyvernfan - 11th April 2009 at 08:40
Some interesting pics ian.. would love to know the circumstances of the accidents.
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April 10, 2009 at 10:01 pm