Carrier Aircraft, Wing tips up in flight

The AEW.3 has a wings latched indicator in the cockpit, the earlier AS/T types had mechanical indicators that popped out of the wings (above the leading edge, just inboard of first fold break) and were visible to the pilot and deck crews when the wings were unlatched.
I don’t know the circumstances of the accident, but I guess that there will always be mechanical or electrical faults that could lead to such things.

Thank you Rob and Pagen for your info.

I was told about the Gannet wing fold on launch by an eye witness. He said the aircraft was half way down the catapult track when the wing folded and how it looked like the aircraft was saluting as it went into the sea. If it wasn’t for the tragic loss of life it would have almost been comical.

I never worked on the Gannet and don’t know if there is a ‘wing locked’ indicator or not. Perhaps someone on here knows how this could have happened.

Amazing how they keep flying sometimes 😮

How on earth does an aircraft get launched from a carrier with its wings still folded? :confused:. Surely its part of the pre-launch checks.

Rob

Thanks James. It mentioned Hermes in a separate incident but i wasn’t sure if the wing fold incident was the same carrier.

Rob

The F-4E in the OP is from the 57th FIS stationed in Iceland. It was in maintenance prior to the flight and the down lock pins on the wingfold were not engaged. After takeoff and during climbout the tips folded, and then “overfolded” during the decent for it’s emergency landing. It was repaired and returned to service about 3 months later. Part of the fallout from the incident was to have the downlock pins painted red so the could be seen better against the grey when the were in the unlocked position.
Cheers,
Itch

Hi Rob, it was indeed off Hermes, while with A Flt as 262-H.

Musclemanta, here are two nice pics off Gannets and RNAS Eglinton,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79138039@N00/1267204093/sizes/z/in/gallery-39411748@N06-72157627158636518/
Do check out the chaps (skivver2000) other Gannet and FAA pics

http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/showthread.php?1860-Eglinton-City-of-Derry

‘Flight’ did a major article about 820 Sqn from the base c1956, good shots in there as well.

Thanks Wyvernfan. I think I will have to take your advice and buy a copy.

Thanks again, Paul.

Is there any info in the book ‘Fleet Air Arm fixed wing aircraft’ on the other incident I mentioned where a Gannets wing folded on launch from a carrier catapult?

Could be AEW.3 XL455. On catapult launch (from possibly Hermes) port wing folded going down deck, aircraft crashed inverted into sea ahead of the ship 40 miles east of Okinawa 25/11/68. S/L GL Still, TW Tracey and NJ Broadway all killed.

If you can afford it MM i recommend buying the book, its well worth it.

Rob

Not just ‘may be’ – I reckon the top aircraft of those two – the F-4E – is the one shown in the OP. Must be an interesting story, as both wingtips are folded past the vertical. I can’t think I’ve seen that before. Any Toom experts care to comment?

Pagen/Lazy8, I too found the angle of the wing fold interesting on the shot in question, and the others posted. Normal wing fold on a parked Phantom is straight up, 90 degrees.

Pardos Push

Thanks TonyT for that link – thoroughly enjoyed it. Brave men with a real determination and loyalty and a sense of ingenuity and not giving up!

Capt. James Robinson “Robbie” Risner did the push in Korea with his F-86 Sabre. He later spent 7 years as a POW in N. Korea and retired a Brigadier General. His book “The Passing of the Night” is an amazing story of his time as a prisoner of war.

Capt. Bob Pardo (not pardu) and his backseater Lt. Steve Wayne did the push in Vietnam in an F-4 Phantom II, pushing their wounded wingman’s aircraft 90 miles (the last half with only 1 working engine) before both crews ejected while still in enemy territory. All 4 men were rescued and made it back to base.

The TV series “Dogfights” has an episode with Robbie Risner telling his story and some great CG animation footage showing how it happened. I don’t know if Bob Pardo’s push is covered, but I think it is mentioned.

One of the most heroic acts was Pardus push.

http://www.historynet.com/pardos-push-an-incredible-feat-of-airmanship.htm

An F86 driver had done something similar in Korea, pushing his buddy’s flamed out bird by puting his beak right in the tail pipe. If memory serves they made it to the ocean and the pilot was able to punch out but then drowned! 🙁

The most-publicized F8U (as it then was) folded wing incident was off Naples in the early 60s. I remember it as the cover story in an issue of RAF FLYING REVIEW some 50+ years ago.

A BT2D also did this in 1945-46, I believe from NAS Quonset Point, unfortunately with fatal results.

Phantom wing folding

I hadn’t heard of this happening to a Phantom – until now. I had heard of the Crusader incident. It amazes me that it/they would still fly and, more importantly perhaps, could be controlled to a successful landing. If it had been me I would have ejected.

The one-wing-folding incident mentioned by TonyT (post 9) sounds more like aerobatic pilot Neil Williams’ mishap with the Zlin.

Anon.

Has anyone got any photos of Eglinton during it’s HMS Gannet, RNAS days?

I’ve seen one with Gannets on the apron, will try and find it. Must have been an interesting place to grow up.

If Rob can’t find the info in the book I will go through the Gannet fates that I have, but of course the wing folded aspect might not be mentioned.

Thanks Wyvernfan and Pagen for the info on the Gannet. I lived only a few miles away from Eglinton at the time of this incident, however I was only 1 year old then!

Has anyone got any photos of Eglinton during it’s HMS Gannet, RNAS days?

Is there any info in the book ‘Fleet Air Arm fixed wing aircraft’ on the other incident I mentioned where a Gannets wing folded on launch from a carrier catapult?

One of the most heroic acts was Pardus push.

http://www.historynet.com/pardos-push-an-incredible-feat-of-airmanship.htm

Les Colquhoun, who had test flown my old Seafire.

Wiki says:-

On 23 May 1950, Vickers test pilot Les Colquhoun was flying the first production Attacker F.1 WA469; he was testing the effectiveness of the air brakes. On the third of two dives, the outer portion of the starboard wing folded up and the ailerons became locked. Colquhoun decided not to eject and managed to do a high-speed landing at Chilbolton, in the course of which he used all but the last 100 yards (90m) of the runway and burst a tyre.He had saved the aircraft so the cause of the incident could be discovered and was awarded the George Medal for his efforts.

Mark