F6D Little Margaret…..

The aircraft has been at Airmotive Specialties in California since this past spring. I’m really hoping it gets repaired back to just the same as it was, but perhaps that’s only wishful thinking (would hate to see it turned into yet another TF).

I see the Shagbat in the video above – I wonder what’s going on with that?

Adrian

Any updates on this aircraft? Is she being nursed back so airworthiness somewhere or has that already happened behind the scenes and she’s made it to Italy to be with Marinell?

Cheers,

Rich

”The pilot reported that he was experienced in operating historic military aircraft and had completed P-51 training one year before the accident. He explained that N51BS was heavier than other P-51s he had flown because it had been restored to its original configuration, which included heavier materials and inert weaponry.

The accident occurred during takeoff from Woodchurch Airfield. The runway was 750 m long and the pilot reported that its grass surface had become soft due to rain. He commented that he did not apply full power immediately to avoid causing the aircraft to roll in the opposite direction to propeller rotation. As the aircraft moved, its wheels sank into the ground and it did not reach the desired speed for takeoff. At the end of the runway the pilot turned the aircraft to avoid a ditch.

It struck a fence and came to rest approximately 180 m beyond the end of the runway. The pilot stated that because he had successfully operated a different P-51 from another grass strip of similar dimensions to Woodchurch he did not perform a performance calculation. He reflected that he had not experienced the ground becoming as soft as it was on this occasion, and he had not considered the higher weight of N51BS.”

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/749120/Bulletin_11-2018_Lo_Res.pdf

When an aircraft propeller rotates under power it grabs air to move forward and its efficiency depends on the density of the medium, the greater the altitude the air becomes less dense the less efficient the propeller is. Even so the bending moment on the propeller blade is in a forward direction.
When producing no forward thrust the bending moment on the blade due to drag is in a rearwards direction.
Substitute a more solid medium , then for one revolution under power the blade can move further forward than it does in air and the bending moment increases in a forward direction. No power it grabs nothing and bends backwards.

From blade strikes at high power. Low power blades bend backwards.

FB

How do blades get bent forward? Might be a daft question but can’t figure that one out

Very bent prop with the reduction gear still attached to it….

‘Lil Margaret’ is now at ARCo Duxford – some distant shots here of her in a dismantled state shortly after delivery and showing some evidence of the damage sustained.

https://youtu.be/V3KermpFjbM

Why would there be? Foreign registered, foreign pilot, no fatalities. More likely it will just be a safety report submitted by pilot in a future bulletin.

I doubt you’ll see anything for months.

Nothing on the AAIB website…yet….

“I think subtle humour is often missed here”

It is indeed sadly missed…………….

I’m not sure why his wife is listed as the owner

Daughter of the creator of the collection?…

https://www.museomartes.com/en/story-of-a-collection/

http://www.studio-agora.it/3-giugno-il-museo-volante-raduno-di-rari-e-preziosi-aerei-storici/

Thanks for the clarification Bristol ZRX61. Much appreciated.

I think flying it is stretching the truth

Yes the male Italian was Flying it. I’m not sure why his wife is listed as the owner – I thought he was. Who knows.

Giovanni Marchi was flying it, but his wife (Silvia Sorlini) is the owner? Anyone care to clarify?

I’m confused too, so who was flying it? , and how badly damaged is it?

Hi Moggy 🙂 It was Janka Gux [who i assume knows the people involved ] who posted the comment about the new owner.I left the name on there as it was a direct quote from them .It is a comment on the facebook page although i is in one of the reply sections .Seems a few people on there know the owner or had someone who worked on the aircraft.Glad the pilot is fine and it looks like the airframe will be looked after.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazine/photos/a.216124641747411.66937.145237522169457/2222533584439830/?type=3&theater

The “lucky /unlucky comment is meant slightly tongue in cheek as most people would be unlucky to be involved in one incident BUT also lucky [with alot of skill involved] to have walked away each time 🙂

I am finding the above a little confusing

Elsewhere it states “The new owner was at the controls” Above it says “Janka Gux—- The new owner …. Her first concern was about the safe outcome of the pilot”

Any clarification available?

Moggy