Hurricane down sadly [Archive]

Colonal Mustard

15th Sep 2007, 16:01

Condolences to all those concerned and thoughts for the pilot and family,

Is this aircraft based (or previously) at Breighton?, been in there once for fuel and saw one similar?

...saw it...touched it....was in awe of it...if it was!!:sad:

k12479

15th Sep 2007, 16:12

According to other forums it was G-HURR which would make it the ex-Breighton one.

threepointonefour

15th Sep 2007, 16:35

Terrible news. :(

Craven Moorhed

15th Sep 2007, 16:36

Diary entry for today : Bugger.....

Sympathies to all affected.

RETDPI

15th Sep 2007, 16:41

Ironic as well that it has happened on Sep 15.
A reminder.

VFE

15th Sep 2007, 16:47

Anyone know who the pilot was?

Condolences to all those affected.

VFE.

EGBM

15th Sep 2007, 16:52

Heartfelt sympathy to all involved.

On today of all days.

RIP.

stillin1

15th Sep 2007, 16:53

"Anyone know who the pilot was"?

Not a question that will be answered on this forum (or anywhere else I hope) before the next of kin are informed:(

Lima Juliet

15th Sep 2007, 16:57

According to a few websites this is the old girl...
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/photos/middle/8/3/9/1244938.jpg

Sadly, aircraft can be rebuilt but pilots can't :(

I've displayed at Shoreham and it can be ridiculously tight with rising ground to the North and on it a massive old private school to avoid.

Sad days...

LJ

Tigs2

15th Sep 2007, 17:05

Very very sad news

Condolences to all family members concerned.

Tigs

tac2ils

15th Sep 2007, 17:12

Very sad news.

BBC South Today news bulletin at 1740 had pictures showing black smoke pall and second picture, close in, showing that the ac is completely burnt out - only the metal skeleton of the fuselage recognisable as a Hurricane. "Fires crews were hampered in getting to the scene due to foot and mouth restrictions."

Condolences to all.

brokenlink

15th Sep 2007, 17:18

Horrible news, sympathies to all affected by this tradegy.
BL

Lima Juliet

15th Sep 2007, 17:19

Tac2ILS

I saw the same bulletin as you and I heard the "Foot & Mouth" stuff. Surely, human life takes precedent over foot and mouth restrictions? If it didn't the Police, who tend to take primacy on accident reaction through Gold and Silver Control, need kicking out - what a bunch of amateurs! Let's hope that the news report was mistaken.:ugh:

LJ

GrahamB73

15th Sep 2007, 17:42

Awful news, particularly on Battle of Britain Day :(

There is a set of photos on Flickr of the aftermath from someone but I'm reluctant to post the link. Not sure if it's appropriate here or not.

cargosales

15th Sep 2007, 17:56

Dreadful news :(

GrahamB73: I think a lot of people, myself included, would rather you didn't post a link. I saw one image on the BBC and wished I hadn't.

CS

GrahamB73

15th Sep 2007, 18:03

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, given the nature of this forum.

BattlerBritain

15th Sep 2007, 18:13

Oh no - such terrible news.

Condolences to all.

WeeMan18

15th Sep 2007, 18:53

I was there today and although I didn't witness the impact, I saw the first smoke go up and everything that followed. A few minutes earlier the guys had all taxied out along the crowd line, canopies back, waving to the crowd who all waved back. Consequently, I'm feeling pretty empty about the day's events.

A terrible loss but perhaps some small consolation that the pilot died doing what he loved.

RIP

Bearintheair

15th Sep 2007, 19:15

No foot and mouth restrictions, usual BBC L.O.B.

Reds Groupy

15th Sep 2007, 19:26

Terrible news, my thoughts and condolences to all concerned. The warbird world loses another.

WeeMan18

15th Sep 2007, 19:30

The missing man formation was heart rending. That'll be seared into my memory long term.

Guzlin Adnams

15th Sep 2007, 19:48

Oh no. As much as I love the old Hurricane I feel more desparate for the family, friends and colleagues of the pilot. The 15th Sept for heavens sake. I just hope that all those who went before are looking after him in the great bar up there and beyond. God bless fella.

thorpey

15th Sep 2007, 19:56

Thoughts to all families involved, a tragedy all round. I believe it`s the same a/c that just performed a brilliant display here in the Channel Islands on thursday. God bless.

TEEEJ

15th Sep 2007, 19:59

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of the pilot. RIP.

The pilot of BD707 put on a wonderful display at Duxford last weekend. Here is an image that I took on Sunday 9th September.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0339BD707.jpg

A further image from Duxford on the 9th.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0290BD707.jpg

doubledolphins

15th Sep 2007, 20:28

Fantastic pictures.Realy do speak two thousand words. Thanks for posting them.

Prat At The Back

15th Sep 2007, 20:54

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danthompson/1388020544/Missing man tribute.. Very touching

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1388020544&size=l

Cusco

15th Sep 2007, 21:05

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danthompson/1388020544/
This does.
Cusco

PingDit

15th Sep 2007, 21:14

R.I.P. Very sad. :(

Green Flash

15th Sep 2007, 21:29

Damn.

Apart from condolences, I can't think of much more to say. A good man and his good cab gone. BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

Clear Right,Px Good!

15th Sep 2007, 21:31

A very sad day for aviation indeed, condolences from myself and my family, not only for this sad event, but also for the loss of Colin McRae and pax in a separate event.
My thoughts are with you all !

CRPxGood

themightyimp

15th Sep 2007, 21:46

@Leon Jabachjabicz (http://www.pprune.org/forums/member.php?u=15591)

@TEEEJ

What excellent photos!

Condolences to those bereaved.

Doesn't a missing man normally involve 4 aircraft (at least) with one pulling up????

Blapto

15th Sep 2007, 21:53

I'd just like to post these images as a tribute.
They were taken on the 8th of September at Duxford. Same aircraft, but I don't want to post large images of the pilot.

Larger resolution images are available on request.

http://www.cometblue.com/bd707/DSC_4224.jpg

http://www.cometblue.com/bd707/DSC_4230.jpg

http://www.cometblue.com/bd707/DSC_4271.jpg

http://www.cometblue.com/bd707/DSC_4277.jpg

All Copyright Martin Lee 2007, feel free to use as you wish in a respectful and non-commercial manner.

Parapunter

16th Sep 2007, 07:07

I drove past the airshow whilst this display was taking place, indeed one of the Hurricanes I'm guessing was involved was hangared next to my office at the airport. A truly impressive machine & truly terrible news.

For what it's worth, an impressive display & it looked like the guys were having the time of their lives. I hope the lost pilot was.

themightyimp

16th Sep 2007, 10:21

@Clear Right,Px Good! (http://www.pprune.org/forums/member.php?u=151813)

I asked a simple question as I was unsure. Go swear at someone else :mad:

airsound

16th Sep 2007, 10:37

Extremely sad news, and especially poignant on Battle of Britain day. Very well done, the Spitfire guys, for a particularly appropriate tribute under what must have been very difficult circumstances.

I’m dreading hearing who the pilot was - but I do know a bit about the aeroplane, so perhaps this is an appropriate place to share that.

The Hurricane that became G-HURR was built as a Mk12 in Montreal by the Canadian Car & Foundry Co in 1942. Most of the 1451 Hurricanes built by the company went to the UK or Russia, but this was one of 75 that stayed in Canada. She served with a Coastal Defence Sqn, helping prevent rising losses of allied shipping in Canadian coastal waters. She was decommissioned in 1945, and eventually arrived at Autokraft at Brooklands (in Britain) in 1988, where she was painstakingly rebuilt over seven years, using authentic Hurricane methods. She was rolled out at Brooklands in November 1995, exactly 60 years after the prototype had its maiden flight - from Brooklands. I believe that was when she got her civil reg G-HURR.
In 1997 Rob Fleming bought her and moved her to Breighton, home of Taff Smith’s Real Aeroplane Co. She flew until recently as A-LK in the black colour scheme of 87 Sqn.
I’m afraid I’m not sure when Tom Blair acquired her, or when she got her BD707 AE-C colours.

In sadness
airsound

Papa Charlie

16th Sep 2007, 10:53

I hope it's in order to post this photo. On his way to the final take off. :sad:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c375/Papa_Charlie/DSC_1708_DXO.jpg

chappie

16th Sep 2007, 12:15

deepest sympathy to all family, friends, colleagues and thoughts extended to all involved. how terrible.:{

here's hoping that he's enjoying a cold beer in the great bar in the sky.#

RIP

PPRuNe Pop

16th Sep 2007, 13:03

Until officially stated. Please do NOT, repeat NOT, post the name of the pilot.

When it sits in the public domain is fine, and not before.

PPP

Fg Off Max Stout

16th Sep 2007, 15:57

Pilot's name released:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1691950.0.tragic_airshow_pilot_is_named.php

RIP

airsound

16th Sep 2007, 16:42

Somehow, before you know the name, you can almost convince yourself that it isn’t going to be one of those fantastic warbird pilots that we all know. Then you hear that it was, after all, the most likely person to have been flying G-HURR, Brian Brown. My slight acquaintance with him suggested an entirely lovely man, who had more than 80 types in his logbook, and whose modesty was exemplified by his telling me that his day job was ‘cutting the grass at Breighton’. He meant that he was the aerodrome operator.

He also told me his most memorable flight was flying G-HURR as one of three Hurricanes in the magnificent 26-ship formation over Duxford to celebrate the Battle of Britain 60th anniversary in 2000.

So he will, undoubtedly, be sorely missed professionally. I can’t even begin to imagine what his loss will mean privately.

But one thing I am sure of. Like many another warbird pilot, Brian’s death will surely have been quick and clean, and it happened in the course of the job that he loved most in all the world.

I salute you Brian - and I thank you for the immense pleasure that you have given over the years. Perhaps you too would have found the coincidence of your final flight and Battle of Britain Day significant. Rest in peace.

airsound

trainedtofly

16th Sep 2007, 16:43

After living within 30 minutes of Duxford, from the age of two months, my now 5-year-old AMERICAN son recognizes a Hurricane from a Spitfire even though he hasn't seen one for a year (we're back in the US). His love of all things aviation has come, not from me, but from watching these magnificent pilots and planes tear around East Anglia.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of this pilot. He is missed.

Brian

paulb7632

16th Sep 2007, 17:41

Marilyn and I have only just spotted the news about Brian on BBC News 24, wer'e gutted, we knew Brian from Breighton after passing through a few times. We were always in awe of his presence and very pleasant personality. He made a great cuppa too! Breighton will not be the same the next time we visit, we shall always remember him with great fondness.

SNAFU.

16th Sep 2007, 20:23

We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God's own hand to be with him on High.
To dwell among the soaring clouds they've known so well before. From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven's very door.
As we fly among them there, we're sure to head their plea. To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.
— Commander Jerry Coffee, Hanoi, 1968

Brian was an inspiration to so many. Always willing to help those less able and less experienced than himself. A first class gentleman and a first class aviator. He will be so sorely missed.

RIP Brian.

Brain Potter

16th Sep 2007, 21:23

I didn't know Brian, but as he flew from Breighton it is certain that he knew Paul Morris - to whom we said goodbye exactly 3 years ago yesterday.

Deepest sympathies to family, friends and all at Breighton.

Al R

17th Sep 2007, 18:05

Brian Brown was a stand in by all accounts, which (as if it were ever needed) gives the whole thing an especially tragic dimension.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/south_yorkshire/6998863.stm

transmitforDF

17th Sep 2007, 21:12

Thats really sad what happened, i was at the airshow with my dad and left just before the crash (because the eurofighter was late) i noticed them all in formation and watched a bit of the fantastic display, im glad i wasn't there to witness it. Thats three aircrashes this weekend not a good time for aviation.
R.I.P Brian.

Roy Fordham

25th Sep 2007, 10:32

It's taken more than a week, for me to even try to find the words to convey my condolences, to the family and close friends of a man, so clearly loved and respected in every way.
My own feelings may be judged, in that this tragedy occured on the 15th of September, the day we commemorate a very special event in our history,the Battle of Britain.
This date is of some significance personaly, to me, as I celebrate my own birthday on this day, and having served in the RAF, do so with pride.
Little was I to know, as now living in Ausralia, this tragic event was to occur, almost at the time that I would be laying a wreath, at our local Cenotaph in Cairns, on behalf of the RAFA, in tribute to "The Few".
This is my first contribution to PPRuNE Forums, and is sent with a very heavy heart, I hope my prayers ,among the many others I'm sure, may have found their way to all, hurting so very much at this time.
Sincerely,
Roy Fordham, Cairns North Queensland, Australia.

Rakshasa

25th Sep 2007, 12:36

I had the pleasure of meeting Brian at Breighton one year. Even now, I can see his 'tache aquiver with laughter. A nicer, more enthusiastic man you could not have met. He was a joy to talk to and humble about his achievements that left me in awe.

G-HURR will be missed, but not nearly as much as Brian.

RIP, Browny.