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



Date26/06/1942
CasualtiesMr C.S. Staniland, Fairey Aviation CTP
AircraftFairey Firefly Mk I Z1827
Took off fromGreat West Aerodrome, Hayes, Middlesex
Purpose of flightTest flight at 10,000ft involving phugoidal oscillations
Incident locationWokingham, Berkshire
Incident detailsSudden dive to 6,000ft and cessation of engine noise. Aircraft then assumed climbing attitude before entering flat spin and parts of the structure began to break away. The pilot made no attempt to escape


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