On take off – b****y Packard Merlin. NEVER had any other engine fail.
Turned back onto the runway but 2 Spits were coming in, so had to turn back toward the grass area &, by then of course, no speed. Undercarriage dug into the grass & rest of a/c bounced some 20 yards & broke in 2.
Cockpit filled with fumes – emergency jettison failed – so I had to break open the canopy with my shoulders. Never been the same since!!
Double Brandy for the stitches in 4″ cut.
= Tim
PS Failures? Actually, incorrect. Showing off Shackleton at Air Display – feathered Nos 1&2 nearest the crowd for low pass – No 3 cut.
Couldn’t count the pairs of hands that went for the switches!!!
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