..a section from an old press photo showing the training of RAFVR personnel in 1940. Mention made on the back of the photo that they are using a camera gun, looks like the drum-mag has been converted for this purpose. (note also that there are some ‘editorial’ ink lines on the photo).

Hope it might be of use, Chumpy.

Looks like a Spitfire part number 30008 etc therefore a bit of wing, really cannot ID it though. + 6S (Supermarine) inspection stamp would seem to confirm this.

looks to be Stainless Steel or is it Ali?

Hmmmm that Hansard transcript makes for interesting reading, wonder if any questitions were asked about the Varsity episode?

Next up that Prentice incident aircraft was VS270, from the Telegraph, Oct 13th 1954…

Getting to the end of my clippings now, so far a hint of farce about the whole affair. However the last bits from the Telegraph tell of the terrible aftermath of the crash and the loss of human life.

Looking at the post by ‘Navigate’, that Agnani is remembered in the role of honour etc. I can but presume that the ‘powers that be’ considered his actions misguided rather than with sinister intent (defecting etc).

..continuing from the Telegraph. More to come if you want it.. tell me when you are all bored and I will stop!

More from the Telegraph later…in the meanwhile a slightly more lurid account of things from the ‘Sketch’!

According to the Telegraph article no radio contact could be made with the Varsity. As for the reason for the crash, probably ran out of talent rather than fuel / shot down.

As you mentioned somwhere in the depths of the RAF / MOD there must be some sort of report on the incident.

The Telegraph reported a slight James Bondish angle, speculating that he might of be trying to defect to Russia, RAF fighters in Germany put on alert just in case.

Crash site was in northern France close to the Belgium border.