Heston Phoenix G-AESV

But back to the subject, it occurred to me that it is likely that the French authorities would have investigated the crash and that a report would have been produced. Thus I have contacted the BEA, the French equivalent of the AAIB, to ascertain if they have such a reoprt and, if not, to enquire of them where I might find more information about the crash. So watch this space.

Despite the passage of nearly three weeks, I have heard nothing from the BEA. However Christmas and the new year did intervene. I’ll now chase them for a reply. It would be nice to know where the Phoenix came down; in what condition it then was; and what, ultimately, was its fate.

Avion: When you do find out, if it is nearer me than you I shall try to track it down.

Laurence

Laurence, assuming that it did crash in the French Alps and having regard to the fact that you live in Switzerland and I live over towards the Atlantic coast of France, I think that there is little doubt that you would win the proximity competition hands down!

Maybe!

Whilst I know that you have a little further than me to go, G-ORDY, to get to Paris, are you up for a trip to Pierrefitte-sur-Seine?

Funny what turns up in one’s filing cabinet isn’t it!

The reverse says

Mr William Boydell
13/14 Robert Street
Dublin W4
Eire

What, I think, is wanted, MM, is someone with good contacts at Air-Britain, which contacts(s) might then be sufficiently interested to liaise with le Trait d’Union (the French branch of A-B) with a view to one of its Parisian members visiting the Archives nationales de France to see what is contained in the file held there. I’m afraid that I’m not the first mentioned someone. Is there anyone out there who is?

France certainly is quite a large country! Hopefully more information on the Phoenix will emerge in the near future.

I think, MM, that a hike to the Archives nationales de France, at Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, is likely to be a more productive move than one to the high country of the Ardèche. The only problem is that Pierrefitte-sur-Seine is probably further from me than Cros-de-Géorand!

So if the location is not so far away from you as originally thought and the terrain doesn’t appear to be as high or difficult to negotiate as the Alps – are you getting the hiking gear out now, AA? 🙂

Just to bring this topic up to date, over fifteen years later, thanks to Franck Roumy and the French www.aerostories.org forum, I have now learnt that G-AESV did not make its forced landing in the French Alps or in April 1952. The forced landing was on the high plateau of the Ardèche, more precisely at Cros-de Géorand, and it occurred on 16 May 1952. Whilst I have not seen it, there is an accident investigation file held by the Archives nationales de France (the French National Archives) at Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, Paris. The file reference is 19760051/63, should anyone wish to pay a visit there and learn more concerning the fate of the last Heston Phoenix survivor.  

Thirteen years later, thanks to Franck Roumy and the French www.aerostories.org forum, I have now learnt that G-AESV did not make its forced landing in the French Alps or in April 1952. The forced landing was on the high plateau of the Ardèche, more precisely at Cros-de Géorand, and it occurred on 16 May 1952. Whilst I have not seen it, there is an accident investigation file held by the Archives nationales de France (the French National Archives) at Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, Paris. The file reference is 19760051/63, should anyone wish to pay a visit there and learn more concerning the fate of the last Heston Phoenix survivor.  
 

Sorry, Laurence. The caption referred to me. An attempt at self focussed sarcasm!

Sorry, Laurence. The caption referred to me. An attempt at self focussed sarcasm!

Yes, I have many other things to do (not necessarily “better” though). The only wreckage I ever came across on a “high pasture” (not alpine though) was the Venom at 2000m in Oman. Nowadays you are more likely to collide with a passing hang-glider or “parapente” than find a Phoenix, risng from the ashes or not. But it might be fun trying. Trouble is, the “French Alps” covers a mighty big chunk of terrain.

Yes, I have many other things to do (not necessarily “better” though). The only wreckage I ever came across on a “high pasture” (not alpine though) was the Venom at 2000m in Oman. Nowadays you are more likely to collide with a passing hang-glider or “parapente” than find a Phoenix, risng from the ashes or not. But it might be fun trying. Trouble is, the “French Alps” covers a mighty big chunk of terrain.

Haven’t you got anything better to do?

But have you been out on the high alpine pastures looking for wreckage, Laurence? In the thought that you have, I’ve been working on the song……. ‘High on a hill stood a lonely medical translator, looking for the wreckage of an old Phoenix’. No, now that Julie Andrews has lost her voice I don’t think that the remake has much commercial potential!

Haven’t you got anything better to do?

But have you been out on the high alpine pastures looking for wreckage, Laurence? In the thought that you have, I’ve been working on the song……. ‘High on a hill stood a lonely medical translator, looking for the wreckage of an old Phoenix’. No, now that Julie Andrews has lost her voice I don’t think that the remake has much commercial potential!

Well I guess after a year and a half they are not going to reply! Pity. It would have been worth finding.
I have just sent the BEA a message on their website, just in case.

Well I guess after a year and a half they are not going to reply! Pity. It would have been worth finding.
I have just sent the BEA a message on their website, just in case.