Yes it was a piaggio but have no idea what model/variant – the area the migs were in was known as the mig grave yard and there was all sorts of ordnance lying about – the eod on the aircraft indicated the americans had cleared them – ln one of the hangers there was a mig 17 (if i remeber correctly up on jacks) above it was a hole in the hanger roof where – apparently – a member of the Pakistan forces attached to NATO had been playing in an aircraft not eod cleared and had pulled the bang handle – wether the story is true i know not but the hole was certalnly there.

Hi – received the following e-mail from the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton today;-

Dear Mr. Brewer

Thank you for your recent enquiry. I can confirm that the Blackburn Firebrand TFIV had a 2,520 hp Bristol Centaurus IX engine driving a four bladed Rotol Propellor which was wood composite.
With reference to Firebrand EX724, it ditched 5 miles south east of Brighton after suffering engine failure on 18th April 1952. Commissioned Pilot J.F. Plant was picked up by a Newhaven RAF Launch
Yours Sincereley
Catherine Rounsfell
Assistant Curator
Fleet Air Arm Museum

So, this looks to be a very likely candidate – the location is right, the propellor and its construction seem right as does the engine, what happens to it now, ive no idea, for myself I would like to see it in the Museum as, I believe, that they have a cockpit section which may well be the only bit left of a Firebrand. Id like to thank every one for their help – its been most interesting, and im honestly amazed at the wealth of knowledge out there – may well be after more help in the future – once again, thanks – all the best Martin B.

That would put it near enough dead on where it was found – it was found off of the coast of peacehaven which is mid way between brighton and newhaven – not sure how farr off of sure but would guess a mile or so – dont know if you can work out from the coordinates i gave – would that have had wooden blades though ????

Have found a serial number on it – not on the actual propellor hub but on the front of the large gear just behind it – reads;-
N39/334 6 (or an f) 81 (or 7) 46FW4

is that any help ??????????????

Re 4 bladers onf Spit 5’s – certainy AB910 of the BBMF (vb ) has a four blader – Seafire 3’s had them – get the impression that depending on which mark of merlin they had depended on the prop – but that may be a generalistion – certainly the 4 blader was used on Mk 5’s = but enough of that – weve established its not a Spitfire – unless there was a one of with either a hercules or centaurus radial (unlikely).