RAF Dive Find

I don’t know whereabouts the RAF were diving, but back in the 1970’s a trawler hooked its nets on a wreck just off Bracklesham bay about a quarter of a mile out.

Probably a coincidence but two S.4 Wyverns disapppeared over Bracklesham Bay in 1957, having most probably collided. But they ‘only’ had 13 feet diameter props.

B29 prop is 16 foot 😉

I don’t know whereabouts the RAF were diving, but back in the 1970’s a trawler hooked its nets on a wreck just off Bracklesham bay about a quarter of a mile out.
They tried to unhook by going back and around, but with no luck. Eventually the skipper decided to try winching in the trawl and see what would happen.
The description I write is almost per vatum from one of the crew members on board. He said that a heavy strain came on the cable and the winch slowed under the strain, but kept turning. A few moments later, what appeared to be a wing of an aircraft broke surface at an angle and almost immediately he saw a cockpit canopy appear. The trawler was listing to port under the strain but the crew could see a large section of fusalage and wing from what he thought was a Spitfire (as always). He also described the canopy as closed with dirt,seaweed and growth making it impossible to see inside. Underneath the canopy rails he saw what appeared to be several black crosses painted on the metal. The winch had by now stalled and the trawler was listing heavily to port. The skipper ordered the winch to be slipped and the cables cut, thus saving the boat from a possible capsize.
I have no reason to disbelieve this story from this crew member as he had no reason to make it up. Calling it a Spitfire is common to all of us, and of course this aircraft could have been any single seat fighter from the war era, including a Typhoon/Tempest. Nearby were all the airfields such as Tangemere, Thorny Island ,Ford, Merston, Westhampnett, ect. so it could have been anything….but what a story….what an experience to have had. Unfortunately this all took place before satnavs and all things electrical and the pinpoint position is not known….but maybe…just maybe……

An interesting story on the RAF website at the moment about a propeller that they need help identifying.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=3269B740-5056-A318-A8ABC195863CDC91

Hmmh thats pretty big. How about a Heinkel 177 that had a huge 4 bladed prop, getting on for 16′ I think. Quite a distinct blade shape as well.

There must be a few of them at the bottom of the channel!

Regards Mike

Blackburn Firebrand?

4-blader Typhoons

The squadron leader states:

“The Hawker Typhoon only had a three-blade propeller, while its sister aircraft, the Hawker Tempest, did have the same engine and a four-bladed propeller, but only with a 14-foot diameter”

However, didn’t certain versions of the Typhoon have a four bladed propellor?

Yes, very roughly around 1000 out of 3315. 14-foot diameter on both Typhoon and Tempest V.

The squadron leader states:

“The Hawker Typhoon only had a three-blade propeller, while its sister aircraft, the Hawker Tempest, did have the same engine and a four-bladed propeller, but only with a 14-foot diameter”

However, didn’t certain versions of the Typhoon have a four bladed propellor?