Looking for memories of Buccaneer XN979

[Carolyn Cordran]

My son and I have recently commenced work on restoring the cockpit of Buccaneer S2 XN979. This will take some time given his junior age but it's an interesting challenge building on his passion for Buccaneers and engineering.

We'd be really gratefully for any memories of XN979 from anyone who had involvement with her from being built in 1964 to 801 NAS in 1966. This aircraft was lost on 9/6/1966 off The Lizard on takeoff from HMS Victorious. The pilot/nav ejected safely, but are no longer in the FAA BA. The cause was later shown to be trim and underwing stores related, it was not pilot error. The aircraft was recovered for investigation before going to Cranfield Institute of Technology as a training resource. It is now in Doncaster.

You can follow progress on Facebook if interested, just search for XN979 cockpit. However, if you can help with memories/contacts with any further personnel/photos we'd be very grateful if you could get in touch. Thank you kindly in advance.

Carolyn & Marcus

[NutLoose]

Excellent news, Carolyn, it might be worth your while signing up on here too

https://www.key.aero/forum/historic-aviation

lots of experience abound on there that may be able to help out.

[SLXOwft]

Good look with finding memories but it is a long time ago, As you almost certainly know, CO 801 for most of this time was Capt Michael Clapp (COMAW during the Falklands War). He is 88 and most involved will be in their late 70s or 80s if they are still with us..

In case anyone reading this knows (of) either of the crew involved in the crash they are reported as Lt A R Gamley (P) (retired list (own request) 1970) and Lt H P Ellis (O) (retired list (own request) 1969).

Will the A700 still exist in some dusty archive?

I was amused by the anecdote on ASN

Andecdote: "XN979 crashed when the pilot remained 'Hands Off' during catapult launch. It was common practice to ignore the launch procedure when the aircraft was fitted with empty slipper tanks, but on this occasion the pilot adopted the Standard Operating Procedure. Boscombe Down did not believe that empty slipper tanks contributed to the accident and Johnny Eagles came out to the HMS Victorious to disprove the theory that the C of G moved aft under this configuration. The result was that he also landed in the drink after ejecting through the canopy as the aircraft stalled on launch. I do recollect an ironic round of applause from squadron maintainers as the pilot was carried from the Plane Guard to the Sickbay"

[Carolyn Cordran]

Thank you, I hadn't found that. Appreciated.

[deagles]

Carolyn & Marcus Cordran. I'm Dave Eagles and was involved in hands-off launch trials before and after the loss of 979. I, too, ejected from an over trimmed launch, from a Boscombe Down trial in Victorious in October 1966. I never flew 979 but later flew in 809 Buccs before leaving the Navy end of '68. Can I help?

[Union Jack]

Good look with finding memories but it is a long time ago, As you almost certainly know, CO 801 for most of this time was Capt Michael Clapp (COMAW during the Falklands War). He is 88 and most involved will be in their late 70s or 80s if they are still with us..

In case anyone reading this knows (of) either of the crew involved in the crash they are reported as Lt A R Gamley (P) (retired list (own request) 1970) and Lt H P Ellis (O) (retired list (own request) 1969).

Will the A700 still exist in some dusty archive?

I was amused by the anecdote on ASN

Andecdote: "XN979 crashed when the pilot remained 'Hands Off' during catapult launch. It was common practice to ignore the launch procedure when the aircraft was fitted with empty slipper tanks, but on this occasion the pilot adopted the Standard Operating Procedure. Boscombe Down did not believe that empty slipper tanks contributed to the accident and Johnny Eagles came out to the HMS Victorious to disprove the theory that the C of G moved aft under this configuration. The result was that he also landed in the drink after ejecting through the canopy as the aircraft stalled on launch. I do recollect an ironic round of applause from squadron maintainers as the pilot was carried from the Plane Guard to the Sickbay"

I believe that Peter Ellis relocated to the Capetown area - good hunting!

Jack

[SLXOwft]

Carolyn - I have sent you a PM

[Finningley Boy]

I can't be certain but I might just have a photo of XN979 over Finningley, 18 Sep '65, however, I would need to confirm and get back to you.

FB

[Carolyn Cordran]

That would be fantastic please if you could look. The cockpit is kept locally to Finningley (coincidentally where his school is) so it's a nice link. Thank you.

=====================

Until you have a posting history you don't have access to private messaging and adding urls.

[Carolyn Cordran]

Thank you, that's a great help.

[Carolyn Cordran]

Dave, that's very kind of you. We'll be in touch soon please once he's thought about his questions. Thank you.

[Finningley Boy]

Hi Caroline,

I've done some checking and the photo I have is an RN mark 2 Buccaneer being put through its paces over Finningley in 1965, but I can confirm that XN979 was at Leuchars and Acklington the same day. However, if you like I can still upload the photo for you, perhaps easier by email. It was taken by a chap called John Wharam who has provided a lot of images for me in the past, so any issues with accreditation, should it a rise, that's the chap! I haven't spoken to him for years, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind.

FB

[Carolyn Cordran]

FB,

Marcus would love to see the photo please. With such a short service life there's only a limited supply so it's interesting to know where 979 was. Thank you. I've updated my prefilled settings for emails, so hopefully that should work?
We appreciate the details for accreditation as well. Thank you.
Carolyn and Marcus

[Finningley Boy]

Ok Carolyn,

I'm not sure at the moment which Bucc this one is but apparently it was being flown by a Hawker Siddley crew at the time of the photo, but I have its reg somewhere.

FB

[SLXOwft]

Until you have a posting history you don't have access to private messaging and adding urls.

Hi Carolyn, thanks for your reply. If you are struggling with PMs I suggest empty your inbox and outbox once you have read or sent each message. To receive PMs I had to do this until I had made (I think) ten posts when it started working fully.

[Finningley Boy]

Carolyn, if you have my email could you send one back to me only I seem unable to attach the photo to the email message from pprune?

FB