Thunder & Lightnings

Test Flying Memorial

"...and everywhere the
blue sky belongs to them
and is their appointed rest
and their native country"
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge



Date21/10/1947
CasualtiesFg Off W.A. Harvey, MAEE Felixstowe P; LAC D.R. Wright; AC A.R. Gurdin; LAC J.J. Ryan
AircraftShort Sunderland Mk V DV976
Took off fromFelixstowe, Suffolk
Purpose of flightStrain gauge experimental flight
Incident locationOff Southend, Essex
Incident detailsStarboard inner engine caught fire which spread to adjacent structure before engine broke away. Pilot attempted ditching at high speed on glass-calm sea but on alighting aircraft overturned and sank (six crew survived and were rescued)


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