Still trying to find out what happened to the Wyvern rear fuselage that the Tangmere aviation museum excavated from Littlehampton in the early 1990’s. It was part of
VZ795 that collided with VZ798 on the night of 17 sept 1957, both pilots ejected safely.
The fuselage was i think last with Anthony White at Ludham airfield in Norfolk and was offered to me around 15 years ago, but unfortunately at the time i could’nt take it on (starting a family) and i lost contact with him.
It was in a poor state having been somewhat crushed but it did still contain the complete tailwheel and arrester hook (actual hook end was removed by someone at Tangmere) and its original just visible markings. There were also some hydraulic rams and bits with it from the crash site.
The site at Ludham seems to have been cleared long ago so was it scrapped or did it go elsewhere.?
By: Wyvernfan - 3rd July 2010 at 20:38
You may well ask Graham. Sadly more Wyverns were lost over water than over land, making recovery more difficult and expensive. And coupled with the fact that Me’s and FW’s are more highly prized and valuable.. not to mention being more manageable size wise as well, its easy to see why the latter have a better chance of making it back onto terra firma than say a lesser known type.
But having said that this particular one was partly recovered with originally good intentions, but, for various reasons that have since been discussed in depth on this thread, was distributed to the four winds and in some cases scrapped with little regard for future preservation.
Yes frustrating but also true!
By: GrahamF - 3rd July 2010 at 19:04
Yes It’s a great shame about the Wyvern and I feel Wyvernfan’s frustration and sense of loss.
I can’t help noticing in the last of couple of years how many German aircraft are coming out of the sea, if it’s not a FW190 it’s a BF109 and yes the sea!
Complete with paintwork.
So when do we start fishing out our aircraft? Did any Wyverns finish up in the drink?
Graham
By: Wyvernfan - 3rd July 2010 at 13:56
All we need now is Andy (Tangmere) to post his photos of the Wyvern dig.. please.
Come on Andy don’t be shy! 🙂
By: Biggles81 - 30th June 2010 at 11:48
Just a thought, I know there’s an RR Eagle left, but are there any Armstrong Siddeley Pythons extant?
The Australian War Memorial has two in its reserve collection that they are looking to get rid of. They don’t know why they have them but as there is no Australian connection they are surplus to their requirements.
By: xtangomike - 28th June 2010 at 23:10
Hey Andy, I know why there was nothing found at our last attempt on the dig….we had a large work party from Ford open prison working for us if you remember, and that may be the answer to all the queeries about ‘parts’. They had a van too…never checked that out did we ?
Mind you, from memories of prison vans, there would not have been enough room for a Python.
Te-heeeeeeeeee
By: Wyvernfan - 28th June 2010 at 21:43
Copy of the newspaper headline and report that followed the incident back in 1957. Amazing to think how no buildings or people on the ground were hit when the two aircraft fell to earth… although it sounds like the ‘earth moved’ for a few people who were laying in bed!
By: Junk Collector - 11th June 2009 at 23:50
Well having wiped off the Pizza sauce and on the side is ARM 58858, on the base I think it is is A1 98/671 and by a little hole it has drain stamped on it presumably it is for draining it not for use as a drain 🙂
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th June 2009 at 17:59
The possibility of Junk Collector “binning it” is probably less than zero I would say…..although Mrs Junk Collector continues to hope, no doubt!
By: Wyvernfan - 11th June 2009 at 17:40
I would guess these are common to all types of that era ? Not uniquely Wyvern, in which case i will bin it
No don’t bin it.. if you look closely there should hopefully be some numbers. Have a look and see.!
By: Junk Collector - 11th June 2009 at 16:47
I would guess these are common to all types of that era ? Not uniquely Wyvern, in which case i will bin it
By: Wyvernfan - 11th June 2009 at 14:46
Here is another part from the said aircraft, from the same source, I think its a stores Pylon, remarkable condition
JC, just to confirm i think what you have is one of the posts of an underwing rocket rail.. there were four rails per wing.!
By: Wyvernfan - 28th May 2009 at 17:34
I don’t know how much info I have on Wyvern Components, but will keep this Aircraft in mind when looking out for Sea- Hawk bits and bobs. Anything I come across Wyvern Fan, I’ll PM you. ( Do you have any AP’s on the Wyvern ?? Vols’ 1-3 and 6 would be really handy. )
How about another thread listing what you have so far towards your project,
brilliant !! keep this going Guys.
Bill T.
Bill,
I have a copy of AP 4272C Volume 1. WYVERN TF Mk.4 AIRCRAFT.. GENERAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION.
Also AP 4293 A&B VOLUME 1. PYTHON Mk.2 & 3 AERO ENGINES.
I also have part number lists for the Arrester gear and the Main and Tail Undercarriage. And of course a copy of the Pilots Notes.
By: SkippyBing - 9th May 2009 at 17:54
Second question, will they miss it?:dev2:
By: Nashio966 - 9th May 2009 at 17:06
Just a thought, I know there’s an RR Eagle left, but are there any Armstrong Siddeley Pythons extant?
http://www.aarg.com.au/PythonEngine.htm
think so 🙂
By: SkippyBing - 9th May 2009 at 16:01
Just a thought, I know there’s an RR Eagle left, but are there any Armstrong Siddeley Pythons extant?
By: Rocketeer - 9th May 2009 at 08:44
Now we will just wait for the first Wyvern data plate rebuild, Rocketeer. 🙂
Well, it will make a change from Spitfires!
tee hee!
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th May 2009 at 07:59
Now we will just wait for the first Wyvern data plate rebuild, Rocketeer. 🙂
Well, it will make a change from Spitfires!
By: Rocketeer - 8th May 2009 at 22:38
Here is another piece from her….a data plate!!!!
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th May 2009 at 21:51
Perhaps just another shade of Sky Type S, then?! 😉
By: Wyvernfan - 8th May 2009 at 21:14
The colour is interesting. I recall several panels coming out with that creamy colour and some that had been black. Looking at it now, I wonder if this could be the black/creamy fawn Suez stripes? I always puzzled what the colour was and it has only just struck me tonight looking at Junk Collectors image. I may be way off mark, here….just an idea!
I can understand your way of thinking but as i understand it VZ795 was never used at Suez. The alternative being that it was maybe ‘painted up’ and held in reserve, or possibly had the wings/parts of an ex Suez machine fitted at some point.
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January 19, 2009 at 7:16 pm