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#61
07-10-2011, 09:43 PM
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#63
07-10-2011, 09:52 PM
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from cambridge first...
One of the aircraft lost “chunks” of its wing. The pilot of one plane parachuted to safety before it crashed into trees and the other aircraft was able to fly away safely and land. No one was injured in the crash which involved a P-51 Mustang and a Skyraider. Mark Brown, a pilot, from Warminster, was at the air show and witnessed the crash. He said: “Three aircrafts form a triangle and then they peel off to the left one after the other. As they did that the leader and the one that was following clipped each other. “The Sky Raider lost a large chunk of its wing tip which fell to the ground. “It went into a bit of a dive then sorted itself out. The other aircraft dived away from the airfield. “They were only about 100 feet at this point. “Then we saw someone jump out and a parachute open. It looked all right, so I assumed someone got out ok. There was no explosion or smoke.” Henry Simpson, who was at the event and also witnessed the crash, said: “I saw two aircraft collide and large chunks of metal falling from the aircraft. “One of them then entered a dive before crashing into the ground behind some trees, the pilot did parachute to safety and the other plane landed safely.” Jason Warden, from Leicestershire, said the Douglas Skyraider, which appeared not to see the mustang and “turned in too tightly hitting the mustang”. “A chunk of wing fell from the Skyraider which was quickly brought back under control.” He said people saw a chute open just before the aircraft hit the ground. Alistair Barbour, from Surrey, took the above photograph minutes before the crash. He said: “Two Mustangs and a Skyraider were in a three ship formation when the lead Mustang ‘Beautiful Doll’ collided with the wing of the much larger Skyraider. Parts fell to the ground over the airfield from both aircraft. “The Skyraider lost some control but recovered after losing height, However, the pilot of ‘Beautiful Doll’ could only do his best to ditch his aircraft safely in a field adjacent to Duxford while bailing out a couple of seconds before impact.” if they were only at a hundred feet or so....that is not much time to make a decision to ride it out or bail. AND if they were only that high its a wonder the chute was able to get the pilot down safely.
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#64
07-10-2011, 10:35 PM
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Me and McQ59 witnessed this tragic loss up close. It all happened at the second pass of the Balbo.
BBD were in the lead of triangel with another Mustang to its right and a Skyraider to its left. fter making a low pass over the airfield, they started climbing, banking left when it appeard to be a collision between the two. Debrie fell to the ground and the Skyraider had a sudden dtop of altitude but regained control. The Mustang wobbled further upwards when suddenly the pilot bailed and the parachute unfolded at very low level. The Kyraider regurned to land with a damged wing (McQ got pics) while the other Mustang circled around crash/impactsite. A tragic loss of aviation history. But luckily no loss of life and the Skyraider made it safe back.
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#65
07-10-2011, 11:37 PM
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#66
07-11-2011, 12:05 AM
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(and where was the Skyraider pilot looking?!)
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#67
07-11-2011, 12:19 AM
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I wasn't their and really have no right to voice my opinions or views on this particular accident but i will anyway.....
I think the P51 pilot made a quick choice their and then on the spot to bail out... and it was the right one. He valued his life more than the aircraft. I do think though, had he of known the damage was minimal and he'd of used the split second to recover rather than jump, then he would of landed the P51 (all be it a little damaged) and todays outcome would of been different. Had we been in that situation... what would we of done? I to would of probably bailed out. But i have to agree Winny...... what was the Skyraider looking at!! He was following the P51, should of always had him in sight yet clearly didnt!! He's lucky their wasnt a fatality. Kudos to the P51 pilot though for getting out in one piece. He's now part of a rare club who can say they've jumped out of a damaged P51. I bet he knows how the Vets felt now.
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