Light Plane in Emergency Landing at Gatwick Airport

Since the incident involved the Gatwick Aviation Museum, I posted a report over on the “Historic” section – didn’t know it was also being discussed here!

“apparently, the aircraft in question collided with one of the Museum’s aircraft on display (thus bringing this post back on-topic…)

“A light aircraft had just landed at the Gatwick Aviation Museum on Lowfield Heath Road, Charlwood when it want off the landing strip and collided with a vehicle, believed to be an HGV, before hitting one of the planes that was on display, ripping a section of the wing off. Three people were injured.”

source: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=137092

Anyone know more about this? It is not clear if the aircraft who “section of wing that was ripped off” was the light aircraft flying in from York – or if the damage was to one of the Museum’s exhibits (or both)

It looks as though the seriousness of the incident was sensationalised and overstated by the press: Peter Mills of the Gatwick Aviation Museum has posted a reply:

“Light aircraft had stbd wing outer section damaged plus a number of other “dings” One museum airframe had a couple of paint scrapes. About all I’m prepared to say at this time.”

I understand that the matter is now in the hands of the insurers (of both parties) so you will understand Peter’s reluctance to discuss this further

Gatwick Aviation Museum

Apologies for the thread drift also, but it seems that the Gatwick Aviation Museum has almost gained a new airframe – albeit unwillingly!

Three hurt as York aircraft crash-lands at Gatwick Airport

9:07am Saturday 2nd July 2011

THREE people were injured after a light aircraft from York made in emergency landing at Gatwick Airport.

The plane landed only yards from the end of the runway at Gatwick Airport just after 9am yesterday.

It landed on its wheels on the airstrip at the nearby aviation museum in Charlwood, next to the airport’s perimeter fence on the border of Surrey and Sussex.

The pilot and two passengers were treated for minor injuries at the scene. The plane had taken off in York.

Local roads were closed for a short time following the accident.

Source: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9118732.Three_hurt_as_York_aircraft_crash_lands/

and apparently, the aircraft in question collided with one of the Museum’s aircraft on display (thus bringing this post back on-topic…)

“A light aircraft had just landed at the Gatwick Aviation Museum on Lowfield Heath Road, Charlwood when it want off the landing strip and collided with a vehicle, believed to be an HGV, before hitting one of the planes that was on display, ripping a section of the wing off. Three people were injured.”

source: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=137092

Anyone know more about this? It is not clear if the aircraft who “section of wing that was ripped off” was the light aircraft flying in from York – or if the damage was to one of the Museum’s exhibits (or both)

And does it help – or hinder – the museum’s case to stay?

Hawker Hunter XJ714

You’re welcome! Another “in service” pic for you: http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=3644&page=9. Go to post #82, which is captioned

“Singapore Air Force Hawker Hunter FGA74S 531 at Williamtown in May 1983 – talking to the Singaporean Hunter Pilots, they were really proud to have gun camera footage from one of their aircraft with a RAAF Mirage in the sights, not easy to do and probably just a little lucky. The pilot of this aircraft went through the full engine start procedure with me and covered many of the systems.”

And more recently: http://www.hunty.com.au/Reborn/images/dataphotos/144.jpg

This is a pic of your Hunter at Tocumwal airfield, NSW, in Sept 1998. Down to a wingless, finless fuselage.

Another pic of your Hunter (and RSAF 529 next to it) still at Tocumwal in July 2000 at http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/hunter/survivor.php?id=757. No change except perhaps a little more dusty!

I would like to know more about the Hawker Hunter in Singapore service. All I know at present is this: “These aircraft were purchased by Geoff Moesker and Alan Arthur of Australia when 21 Hunters were withdrawn and sold by tender in 1993-94….Singapore originally contracted for 16 Hunters in 1968, with the aircraft delivered in 1970-71. This was followed by a second order, for twenty-two aircraft to be delivered between June 1972 and October 1973. These aircraft would be delivered as F.R.Mark 74Bs, and were produced by upgrading eight F.4s and fourteen F.6s. At the same time an order was placed for T.Mark 75 two-seat trainers.

The aircraft operated from Tengah with no’s 140 (Osprey) and 141 (Merlin) squadrons.”

Also, I seem to recall that all the Singapore AF Hunter pilots were all trained at 229 OCU at Chivenor during the early/mid 1970s, with all RSAF Hunter being sent there first, before being flown out to Tengah.

You say that you have the cockpit: what happend to the rest of your Hunter?

Does it still exist? And do you hope to assemble a complete aircraft one day?

Hawker Hunter XJ714

Hello

Here’s a link to a pic to get you started: http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK—Air/Hawker-Hunter-FR10/1193541/M/

This is a pic of the “real” XJ714 (which you own part of) as “B” of 4 Squadron. Taken at the Battle of Britain display at Biggin Hill on Sept 14, 1963

And another of XJ714 at: http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=777520. Taken at Gutersloh, Germany in 1968, when she was still “B” of 4 Squadron.

Seen on Ebay

Battle of Britain Ju-188 relic

http://cgi.ebay.ie/JUNKERS-JU-188-BLITZ-RELIC-CYLINDER-GENUINE-ITEM-/190549087375?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item2c5d9c548f

Exceptionally rare I’d say – from the 1943 Battle of Britain…

Wonder if its anything to do with THIS?

“Junkers Ju-188E-1, 3E+AF (10007), Erpr/KG6

Walbury Hill Camp, Combe

1st November 1943

This German bomber was attacked by a Mosquito from 29 Squadron crewed by Flight Lieutenant S. F. Hodsman and Warrant Officer A. F. Monger. The German pilot and at least one other member of his crew had been killed by machine gun fire from the Mosquito. At about 6:30pm, after flying low over cottages in the village of West Woodhay, it struck Walbury Hill about 100 feet from the top. After uprooting two trees it bounced four times along the ground and broke into many pieces, which were spread over an area of about half-a-mile. All four members of the bomber’s crew were killed and at least two of the bodies were taken to Hungerford and placed in the mortuary of the town’s psychiatric hospital.

Crew details
Obelt. H. Schmid
Oberfw. B. Krupp
St. Fw. E. Zuch
Uffz. J. Koidl”

Source http://www.ramsburyatwar.com/crashes/Ju188.htm

Seen on Ebay

Fancy an airworthy (or was until recently) Lockheed T-33?

Link at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lockheed-T33-Shooting-Star-T-Bird-/280701868677?pt=UK_CPV_Aviation_SM&hash=item415b229a85#ht_500wt_1156

Which says

“For sale is an original Lockheed T33.
The aircraft was restored over the last 4 years. In May it suffered an engine flame-out due to fuelpump failure on its 5th post restauration flight. During the following emergency landing it suffered minor damage. The aircraft can be fixed easily, but I´m not interested anymore, to do this.

The aircraft is parked in a hangar, at Bitburg Airbase, Germany, close to Frankfurt Hahn Airport.

The costs are 10.000,00 Eur/year for maintenance, insurance and hangarage. The costs for repair are estimated in the area of 20.000,00 Eur.

There is no hidden reserve price etc. The aircraft is sold as is, where is… The buyer will have to pay hangarage (120,00 Eur/month) etc.

The price does not include the engine, avionics and paperwork. However those parts will be included for any bids above 22200 GBP. The engine has only 42 hrs since overhaul.
This aircraft is also offered on Ebay Germany, so first come, first serve.
Payment required within 7 days.

Vendor wants £22,200 for it: bids opening at £13,300

Any ideas on the identity/serial?

Fife/Scottish Aviation Spots

Oh, I should have mentioned that the ‘Secret Bunker’, a now declassified cold war nuclear bunker is only two miles from Crail and is a cracking museum. There is also Dunino airfield down the road and is quite off the beaten track!

And, “afore ye go” you can check out the website at
http://www.secretbunker.co.uk/

Err..isn’t the website address something of a giveaway?

There’s also a pretty complete listing of defence installations throughout Fife on the Subterranea Britannica website at http://www.subbrit.org.uk/location/fife Some are still there, albeit derelict, some are long gone, and one “secret bunker” (at Burntisland) is now a shop!

Seen on Ebay

Very nice (large) piece for the Chippie collector;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DHC-1-Chipmunk…item2311cfe4d2

Any ideas as to exactly which Chipmunk this came off? No ID possible from the sole picture supplied, but the wing is in the silver colour scheme with a yellow “T” band, plus the vendor is based in Faringdon, Oxfordshire

Any reports of dismantled/disused Chipmunks in that area?