You did indeed see G-BJHS, now with Kermit Weeks at Fantasy of Flight. I lived in Farnborough at the time, but had gone out for the day and missed it. To be told about it later. It would have been just before the Sunderland left for USA and it did a flypast of a number of airfields.

That would be Vesna Vulovic. I recall her being on a TV programme made years ago about record holders

But there is now some doubt about the story. See here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/czechrepublic/9040863/40-years-on-woman-who-survived-33000-foot-fall-still-faces-questions.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1115304/Air-hostesss-record-breaking-10-000m-fall-exploding-plane-hoax-cover-air-force-error.html

I forgotten what a great programme this was. Good to see again.

I think, I haven’t got my copy right now, the Stephen Flower’s book “Barnes Wallis’ Bombs” mentions FAA use of Highball using Avengers. Get hold hold of his book, and it may have the answer.
I saw an amazing bit of film a few years ago from the IWM at the National Film Institute, who were also showing the Dam busters film, which showed a Mosquito dropping Highball on land and down a disused railway tunnel in Scotland. The film had been labeled the “Grouse Shoot” and because of this labelling the film had been lost for years. Never seen the film since. Always seem to be lots of new stories about Highball/upkeep, even after all these years.

Also on BBC West tonight at 19.30. Which is handy as I can get BBC West in Spain, but not BBC iplayer. Although sadly BBC West have just spoilt this with a picture of a couple of 8th Air Force B17’s behind the studio presenter introducing this during the lunch time local news.

Another link here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21344717

Scampton only had grass runways at the time of the actual Dam Busters raid. Hence the film used Hemswell’s grass for authenticity.

There is some very interesting material on pages 159/160 in this book about what we are discussing. Laker filed a civil action against BA and other airlines for forcing it in to bankruptcy by their colluding over pricing, theeby breaching US anti-trust laws.

hip

My point entirely for the collapse. BA admitted this years later. Nothing to do with Thatcher.

It’s below the low water mark IIRC, although I believe as it lies within territorial waters it’s a case for the Receiver of Wreck?

I think one of the things that grates with TIGHAR is their attitude.

I believe the Receiver of Wrecks, through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency would indeed be responsible.

This makes interesting interesting reading.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-receiverofwreck/mcga-protectedwrecks.htm

Creaking Door, yes, I’d suggest the US Government could make a claim too.

This is worth a read. A war grave and what happens when money becomes the driver.

http://www.heritagedaily.com/2012/07/cameron-appointed-peer-mod-and-odyssey-colluded-over-balchens-hms-victory/