Help from experts on the Gannet

[QuePee]

I came across the attached photo of a Gannet after having been recovered from what appears to have a been a ditching. The photo is obviously of very poor quality and the code appears to be 322/B. So my question is does anyone have any info on the incident, dates, location etc?

Finally, do you know who owns the copyright to the picture and/or does anyone have a clean copy that they could scan for me.

Many thanks for your help.

QP

http://i28.tinypic.com/wjwhgm.jpg

[MReyn24050]

The aircraft is a Gannet AS.1 XA390 belonging to 820 Sqn FAA.

820 Squadron — Received nine Gannet AS. 1s at Eglinton on March 7, 1955. Embarked in HMS Centaur during January 1956 for operations in the Mediterranean and Far East, after which the squadron relinquished its Gannet AS. 1s into storage at Donibristle. Formed up at Eglinton on July 30, 1956, with eight Gannet AS. 1s. Embarked in HMS Bulwark in June 1957 but was disbanded on December 2, 1957

The tail marking 'B' would indicate it was from HMS Bulwark. I have seen a photograph of XA390 on the deck of HMS Bulwark dated 1st August 1957. So this event must have happened between then and December 1957.

[XH175]

MReyn24050 has it.

XA390 had the hold back break early on cat launch. Ditched 05/07/57 over the bow of Bulwark while she was anchored in Bangor Bay.

Crew picked up OK and aircraft recovered by HMS Barringtion a week later.

321/B was ditched after engine failure 25/09/57 so it may have been this aircraft that was seen in August.

Regards
Ross

[MReyn24050]

Thanks Ross. You may well be right about the aircraft that was reported to be parked on the deck in August. At least we now know the fate of XA390.

[Double Zero]

I'm hardly an expert on Gannets, though a ' brother of a friend ' ditched in one.

There's a demonstration Double Mamba , electrically run with cropped prop's, at Tangmere Museum.

[QuePee]

Many thabnks to all who have responded. It amazing how quickly these sort of questions get answered. I am extremely grateful for your efforts.

Anyone know of a good copy of the photograh though?


All the best and thanks again.

QP

[MReyn24050]

The photograph is copied here:-
http://www.axfordsabode.org.uk/pdf-docs/bulwrk02.pdf
It is on a website owned by a David Axford, you may be able to get a copy from him.
Mel

[David Eyre]

My father (Peter Eyre) served on HMS Bulwark, and was on duty at the time of the accident with XA390:

"We were at anchor in Bangor Bay, Belfast, and there was a very strong wind..it was a typical dull grey windy North of Ireland day.

They decided that because of the strong wind, it was like cruising into wind for normal take off or launches.

The Gannet was on the Port catapult and applied normal full power for launch. The strop broke prematurely during the runup and she went off the end at slow speed. The Gannet just missed a civilian sailing dinghy that was racing around....the crew of the dinghy (a husband and wife) recovered the crew, and they came back alongside.

The crew of the aircraft were unhurt, and the crew of the dingy were given a gift of safety equipment."

Regards,
David Eyre