Thanks for posting the pics, it always amazes me how the Python engine snapped in the same place as the Wyvern, and that the pilot survived.
What were the details of the accident?
I seem to remember that there was an ‘Aeroplane’ photographer on Albion at the time, who came away with the impression that the Wyvern was a dangerous old bird!
“Lieutenant Jim Jarrett, one of the squadron staff officers, was making his approach in a very tail down attitude, indicating that he was either very heavy or slow. As he came over Eagle’s round-down the aircraft entered a stall and rolled to the right, crashing into the carrier’s funnel. The engine and propellers broke off, remaining embedded in the funnel, while the remainder of the aircraft crashed upside down alongside the port side of the island with Jim trapped underneath. The flight-deck rescue crew and firefighters were quck off the mark, and fortunately there was no fire. Jims ‘bone dome’ took most of the impact and shattered, but he was deeply unconscious and his head and face were dreadful shades of blue and black. The first impressions were that he had not survived, but after the aircraft had been lifted to enable a doctor to attend him he was found to have a pulse. Jim Jarrett subsequently made a recovery (although still suffered from the effects) but never flew fixed wing aircraft again, instead going onto helicopters”.
The above taken from the excellent book ‘Phantom Leader’ by Michael J. Doust.
Rob
Sign In
