This month marked the 60th anniversary of this tragic incident and the loss of Eddie Griffiths, a fine test pilot. Sadly pre accident photos of VZ747 are quite hard to find, but here is a shot of her on an old Armstrong Siddeley advert.

Thanks to John I now have a few more photos, including a copy of the initial impact point clearly showing the deep ridges in the field, which would of probably been invisible from the air especially in such desperate circumstances, which ripped the undercarriage off leaving a complete wheel and tyre imbedded in the ground (seen on the right).

Rest in peace, Eddie, you are not forgotten.

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What’s the story behind the Tristars at Bruntingthorpe?
Are they being stored? I didn’t count them all but there must be 6 or 8 of them.

Not entirely sure, although sadly I don’t think any are for preservation there as they are “spoken for”.
But personally I would of loved one to be kept live if possible, together with the superbly preserved VC-10.

But the work that already goes on there to keep all these jets running is incredible!

Rob

Indeed, never seen so many, although they were somewhat dwarfed by the mighty Tristar!

Rob

Cheers Clive. Another couple from me including our driver Dennis Brooks – very experienced and a thoroughly decent chap!

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