Thanks for confirming the serial – clearly my memory isn’t as bad as I thought it was!

Location of crash site here:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=50.08932,-5.24469&spn=0.001132,0.004705&t=h&z=18

Incidentally do you know if the pilot was ok or was he killed.? Not sure if it went straight in or crash landed..

I have some bits from a Skyraider AEW1 that crashed just outside the perimeter of CU in the late 50’s/early 60’s. I think it was WT963 but not entirely sure about that. Dad took me to the spot in about 1983 and I found quite a few bits on the surface just scattered around. Some still had the dark blue paint intact. An interesting twist was our next door neighbour had been stationed at CU at the time of the crash and had seen the accident. It crashed just about 150m to the West of ‘B site’ main hardstanding.

They are probably still in my parents’ loft assuming they haven’t been thrown out 🙁

That would indeed be WT963 ‘425’.. which took off from Culdrose 24/2/60 apparently with smoke pouring from the engine, and as the pilot started to turn downwind the engine failed and it crashed into a field on/near the base.

Whilst you might justify it with the naval connection, which I believe is a ‘sub-theme’ of their Collection & Disposals Policy – what would you take out of their Hangar 2?

Wow so much to choose from.. i’ll let you decide.!:D

Tangmere, could you see any of the rest of the airframe like wings, forward fuselage etc that was still attached.? Also did it appear that it was still relatively intact or did the front end compress on impact.. as i’m curious to know the truth from someone who was actually there.!

But it would have all been far less interesting and enlightening for many, I feel, along the route of the discussion you provoked. Just my opinion.

Absolutely.. but if i don’t agree with other peoples ideals or opinions then please just accept ‘the way it is for me’, and likewise i shall do the same with others.!

[/QUOTE] If you want more on the Wyvern (I have a great deal!) I will post it here as and when I am able.[/QUOTE]

Go for it.. always interested in all things Wyvern.
I have spent the past 19+ years collecting, hunting, searching, sometimes with results but more often than not leading to a dead end. And that is the root of my frustration, when something tangible and real comes to light and is lost forever.. but as always hindsight is a marvellous thing.

The Eagle engined example at Yeovilton is a fantastic exhibit, and certainly far better than nothing. But the S.4 service variant holds more of a fascination with me, its shear size, power, complexity, and somewhat ‘unique’ appearance do somewhat float my boat. But then its not everybodys cup of tea.. and thank god for that. What a boring world it would be if it was.;)

My point is that the garden shed brigade will give virtually anything a home, regardless of condition.. major museums undoubtedly will not.! A battered fuselage is surely better than no fuselage, and rather than just scrap it or indeed anything to do with any other type, at least offer it to someone with a genuine interest.
As has already been said it was offered to Tony White with the proviso he remove it within two weeks. Was it offered at all to the FAAM? And whatabout the rudder and canon, what happened to them?

You may not have an interest in a ‘footnote’ JDK, but some of us do.. my money, my choice.!!!