For Edward “Eddie” Shilton Griffiths, Tuesday 18th May 1954 started out just like most other days. As Armstrong Siddeleys chief test pilot, he and his colleagues were tasked with getting to grips with and overcoming all the troubles the company was having with their latest product.. the Python turboprop engine.
Its sole user, the Royal Navys Westland Wyvern S.4 had only recently entered service but was still having problems with its engine flaming out and a reluctance to re-lite in certain configurations.
At 32 years old Eddie was promoted to CTP only the month before, having been with AS since 1949. Previously with the Fleet Air Arm he then went on to the Empire Test Pilots School at Farnborough before joining AS. He lived nearby in Kenilworth, was also married and a father to three children, the last of which was born the previous year.
Just after 4.30pm the tower at Bitteswell, the airfield from where he had previously taken off, received a mayday call from Eddie stating that he was unable to re-start the engine of Wyvern VZ747 (contracted to AS for engine development) and was descending in some difficulties. He radioed his approximate position and his intention to carry out an emergency landing in a suitable field below. At once a water tender accompanied by a Landrover were despatched and sped towards the intended landing site.
As Eddie bought the Wyvern down lower and lower he was unable to see that his intended landing field was in fact heavily ridged, and not as flat as he might previously of thought.
Eye witnesses saw the aircraft go into a shallow dive from which they expected it to pull out. Instead of which a pall of black smoke rose up into the air. With undercarriage lowered (whether this was already down as part of the tests or lowered by the pilot at the last minute i don’t know) the Wyvern struck the ground quite hard, leaving a small crater around 2′ deep and with one wheel and undercarriage leg embedded in it. With the ridges in the field subsequently throwing the Wyvern off its intended course, the aircraft briefly bounced up and headed straight towards two trees at the edge of the field. After hitting the trees which took off both outer wings, the Wyvern came to rest in the next field in a mass of flames as the fuel ignited, and with the engine being torn off its mountings and thrown forward of the main wreckage.
Literally only a few moments after the crash the fire services arrived, but could do very little to prevent the majority of the aircraft from being consumed by the intense fire. Eddie was apparently seen still strapped in his seat in the cockpit, and sadly nothing could be done to save him. He had made no attempt to eject, instead opting to bravely stay with the aircraft and hopefully save all its vital data.
The companys fire crews used all their foam on the fire, and it was not until Rugby units of the Warwickshire brigade arrived that the flames were completely put out. A Leicestershire and Rutland appliance was also sent from Lutterworth.
Some 15 – 20 years ago i made contact with the farmer of the field in which the Wyvern had come down. His father and older brother had at the time witnessed the aftermath, and he spoke of finding various pieces of Wyvern such as a identification plate and fairly large section of propeller blade in the field and hedge. He was only too glad for me to have a wonder around the surface of the field, and whilst using a metal detector i recovered a few small reminders of that fateful day very close to the surface. I had also previously managed to find some photos of the crash site, and on my return there last year i presented the farmer with some copies, together with a picture of VZ747 in happier days and some related ephemera to the incident. I also took the time to reflect on that tragic and terrible day, and said a few words of prayer to a brave aviator.
I never cease to be amazed at the bravery and shear skill and determination that test pilots, particularly during those pioneering postwar years, showed in helping to develop and refine such new and ground breaking machines.. often pushing themselves and their mounts to extremes in search of reaching a successful outcome.
RIP Eddie.
By: Wyvernfan - 31st May 2014 at 17:18
This month marked the 60th anniversary of this tragic incident and the loss of Eddie Griffiths, a fine test pilot. Sadly pre accident photos of VZ747 are quite hard to find, but here is a shot of her on an old Armstrong Siddeley advert.
Thanks to John I now have a few more photos, including a copy of the initial impact point clearly showing the deep ridges in the field, which would of probably been invisible from the air especially in such desperate circumstances, which ripped the undercarriage off leaving a complete wheel and tyre imbedded in the ground (seen on the right).
Rest in peace, Eddie, you are not forgotten.
Rob[ATTACH=CONFIG]228813[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]228814[/ATTACH]
By: Wyvernfan - 18th March 2012 at 08:55
Thanks for the kind words pistonrob. You are quite right about the underwater ejection, made by Lt. Bruce McFarlane on the 13th October 1954 in aircraft VZ783, after his Python engine flamed out on launching from HMS Albions catapult. There was an excellent interview with Bruce in Flypast some years back but i cannot remember which issue.
Edit; I believe it was the October 1986 issue!
.
By: Wyvernfan - 18th March 2012 at 08:55
Thanks for the kind words pistonrob. You are quite right about the underwater ejection, made by Lt. Bruce McFarlane on the 13th October 1954 in aircraft VZ783, after his Python engine flamed out on launching from HMS Albions catapult. There was an excellent interview with Bruce in Flypast some years back but i cannot remember which issue.
Edit; I believe it was the October 1986 issue!
.
By: Wyvernfan - 16th March 2012 at 18:37
Not setting out to correct you ( and I did double check myself! ) but Mr Penrose had the unusual spelling of his christian name. I can’t say I have ever seen it spelt as such before.
Quite right Propstrike, fingers working quicker than the brain. I have a hand written letter from Mr Penrose from 1991 regarding my parts project, signed ‘Harald Penrose’ 🙂
was there not a pilot who ejected “under water” from a Wyvern after it had gone overboard from an aircraft carrier. he survived and the reason he said he did it was that he had nothing left to lose.
well done Wyvernfan, its always a great feeling for yourself when a reletive gets in contact and say “they never knew” etc. chuffed to bits for you mate
Thanks for the kind words pistonrob. You are quite right about the underwater ejection, made by Lt. Bruce McFarlane on the 13th October 1954 in aircraft VZ783, after his Python engine flamed out on launching from HMS Albions catapult. There was an excellent interview with him in Flypast some years back but i cannot remember which issue.
By: Wyvernfan - 16th March 2012 at 18:37
Not setting out to correct you ( and I did double check myself! ) but Mr Penrose had the unusual spelling of his christian name. I can’t say I have ever seen it spelt as such before.
Quite right Propstrike, fingers working quicker than the brain. I have a hand written letter from Mr Penrose from 1991 regarding my parts project, signed ‘Harald Penrose’ 🙂
was there not a pilot who ejected “under water” from a Wyvern after it had gone overboard from an aircraft carrier. he survived and the reason he said he did it was that he had nothing left to lose.
well done Wyvernfan, its always a great feeling for yourself when a reletive gets in contact and say “they never knew” etc. chuffed to bits for you mate
Thanks for the kind words pistonrob. You are quite right about the underwater ejection, made by Lt. Bruce McFarlane on the 13th October 1954 in aircraft VZ783, after his Python engine flamed out on launching from HMS Albions catapult. There was an excellent interview with him in Flypast some years back but i cannot remember which issue.
By: pistonrob - 15th March 2012 at 22:09
was there not a pilot who ejected “under water” from a Wyvern after it had gone overboard from an aircraft carrier. he survived and the reason he said he did it was that he had nothing left to lose.
well done Wyvernfan, its always a great feeling for yourself when a reletive gets in contact and say “they never knew” etc. chuffed to bits for you mate
By: pistonrob - 15th March 2012 at 22:09
was there not a pilot who ejected “under water” from a Wyvern after it had gone overboard from an aircraft carrier. he survived and the reason he said he did it was that he had nothing left to lose.
well done Wyvernfan, its always a great feeling for yourself when a reletive gets in contact and say “they never knew” etc. chuffed to bits for you mate
By: pobjoy pete - 15th March 2012 at 19:49
Wyvern conta props
I seem to recall that the main problem with the Wyvern was the huge props going into fine pitch when the mechanism failed (which they did). This left the pilot flying a very heavy aircraft with a massive airbrake upfront,with virtually no chance of retaining control during the resulting flare if force landed.It was probably the most dangerous of postwar production aircraft with regard to accident rate in relation to numbers built and hours flown.
By: pobjoy pete - 15th March 2012 at 19:49
Wyvern conta props
I seem to recall that the main problem with the Wyvern was the huge props going into fine pitch when the mechanism failed (which they did). This left the pilot flying a very heavy aircraft with a massive airbrake upfront,with virtually no chance of retaining control during the resulting flare if force landed.It was probably the most dangerous of postwar production aircraft with regard to accident rate in relation to numbers built and hours flown.
By: Propstrike - 15th March 2012 at 19:28
Thanks Propstrike. The pilot Harold Penrose was probably referring to was his assistant Peter Garner, who was killed when the engine stopped and he subsequently failed to pull out sufficiently from the resulting dive.
It was Harold Penrose who made the comment “Very nearly a very good aeroplane”
Not setting out to correct you ( and I did double check myself! ) but Mr Penrose had the unusual spelling of his christian name. I can’t say I have ever seen it spelt as such before.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-harald-penrose-1362801.html
You are right about Peter Garner. I recall HP was dismayed at the hard-nosed attitude of Westland towards the welfare of the pilot’s berieved family, and made considerable personal efforts to see that some long term assistance was put in place.
I warmed to him for this, and the philosophical character that emerged in his later books, such as Airymouse.
By: Propstrike - 15th March 2012 at 19:28
Thanks Propstrike. The pilot Harold Penrose was probably referring to was his assistant Peter Garner, who was killed when the engine stopped and he subsequently failed to pull out sufficiently from the resulting dive.
It was Harold Penrose who made the comment “Very nearly a very good aeroplane”
Not setting out to correct you ( and I did double check myself! ) but Mr Penrose had the unusual spelling of his christian name. I can’t say I have ever seen it spelt as such before.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-harald-penrose-1362801.html
You are right about Peter Garner. I recall HP was dismayed at the hard-nosed attitude of Westland towards the welfare of the pilot’s berieved family, and made considerable personal efforts to see that some long term assistance was put in place.
I warmed to him for this, and the philosophical character that emerged in his later books, such as Airymouse.
By: Rocketeer - 15th March 2012 at 18:27
That quote is attributed to various aircraft and pilots over the years.
At Boscombe Down, our museum archivist ( who was at VS at brooklands then High Post in the war) ended up at BD after the war. He may have details…..a look thru the Test Flying memorial book shows that not just test pilots made the supreme sacrifice on the road to safer civillian and military aircraft but also Flight Test Engineers, Observers and Photographers and flying ground crew.
The youngest FTO had just turned 16 when he was killed in a test accident at Boscombe Down
By: Rocketeer - 15th March 2012 at 18:27
That quote is attributed to various aircraft and pilots over the years.
At Boscombe Down, our museum archivist ( who was at VS at brooklands then High Post in the war) ended up at BD after the war. He may have details…..a look thru the Test Flying memorial book shows that not just test pilots made the supreme sacrifice on the road to safer civillian and military aircraft but also Flight Test Engineers, Observers and Photographers and flying ground crew.
The youngest FTO had just turned 16 when he was killed in a test accident at Boscombe Down
By: Wyvernfan - 15th March 2012 at 18:00
Thanks Propstrike. The pilot Harold Penrose was probably referring to was his assistant Peter Garner, who was killed when the engine stopped and he subsequently failed to pull out sufficiently from the resulting dive.
Baz your referring to a Boscombe test pilot, tasked with recommending modifications to help bring the aircraft upto to an acceptable level for squadron service. Thankfully that specific bit of advice was not implemented 🙂
It was Harold Penrose who made the comment “Very nearly a very good aeroplane”
By: Wyvernfan - 15th March 2012 at 18:00
Thanks Propstrike. The pilot Harold Penrose was probably referring to was his assistant Peter Garner, who was killed when the engine stopped and he subsequently failed to pull out sufficiently from the resulting dive.
Baz your referring to a Boscombe test pilot, tasked with recommending modifications to help bring the aircraft upto to an acceptable level for squadron service. Thankfully that specific bit of advice was not implemented 🙂
It was Harold Penrose who made the comment “Very nearly a very good aeroplane”
By: spitfireman - 15th March 2012 at 10:25
Was this the guy who said: Gaining entry to the [Wyvern] cockpit is awkward and difficult, suggest it should be made impossible…..
Baz
By: spitfireman - 15th March 2012 at 10:25
Was this the guy who said: Gaining entry to the [Wyvern] cockpit is awkward and difficult, suggest it should be made impossible…..
Baz
By: Propstrike - 15th March 2012 at 10:20
A very touching account, and gratifying that his daughter was able to understand a little more of the circumstances of his loss.
I think the Wyverns were pretty hairy to fly, and remember Harald Penrose describing the loss of one of his fellow Westland test pilots in the type.
By: Propstrike - 15th March 2012 at 10:20
A very touching account, and gratifying that his daughter was able to understand a little more of the circumstances of his loss.
I think the Wyverns were pretty hairy to fly, and remember Harald Penrose describing the loss of one of his fellow Westland test pilots in the type.
By: Wyvernfan - 14th March 2012 at 19:00
A good result for Key Publishings Historic Forum
I started this thread in October 2010, and received this very moving email a few days ago;
“Hello, I am the eldest daughter of Ed Griffiths, and have just found your article about my father in Key Publishing Aviation.
I was so happy to find it as this is the only information I have ever found about what happened that day which I remember very clearly. Unfortunately us children where considered to young to be told of the event in any detail and it has remained a mystery to me.
Do you have anymore info, and where did you find what you have written which was so nice and sympatheticly put across. If so I would be so very grateful for any news you may have , or sites where I can find out more.
I cried this morning when I read your post written in 2010. But, it has made me happy to know a little of him.
Yours sincerely, Gillian Griffiths”
If anyone has any further information to help Gillian learn a little more about her extremely brave test pilot father then please contact me, and i will pass the information on. Thank you in advance!
Rob.
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