View Full Version : Spitfire on its nose in the US, interesting recovery technique
NutLoose
10th Jul 2023, 17:19
The nose over, suspect brake stuck on.
https://news.dpgazette.com/2023/07/aircraft-crash-lands-at-deer-park-airport-no-injuries/
The erm..... recovery.. :rolleyes: Still they got it off the runway and into a shed... let's hope it didn't cause much more damage.
https://www.spokesman.com/galleries/2023/jul/07/wwii-fighter-plane-damaged-in-deer-park-crash/
DaveReidUK
10th Jul 2023, 18:10
It's the Historic Flight Foundation's FR.IXe (aka N633VS).
treadigraph
10th Jul 2023, 18:38
John Sessions (owner) said prop appears to be the only major casualty, recovery was apparently done very carefully; looks like there is something cushioning the airframe on the back of the truck.
Presumably the pick up is front wheel drive !! seems to work well though...
Downwind.Maddl-Land
12th Jul 2023, 07:48
John Sessions (owner) said prop appears to be the only major casualty, recovery was apparently done very carefully; looks like there is something cushioning the airframe on the back of the truck.
And, presumably, a shock-loaded Merlin to inspect in some detail?
Grummaniser
12th Jul 2023, 07:51
Presumably the pick up is front wheel drive !! seems to work well though...
It's got a diff on the back axle but I guess it's 4WD, not just front.
DaveReidUK
12th Jul 2023, 15:34
And, presumably, a shock-loaded Merlin to inspect in some detail?
Yes, even it it turns out that nothing is bent, the inspection doesn't come cheap.
treadigraph
14th Jul 2023, 10:15
Indeed, not cheap for the inspection but I believe several Merlin/Griffon prop strikes at low RPM in recent years have destroyed the wooden blades but engines have been undamaged... Years ago the price of a single Spitfire blade was £25k I believe, hate to think what the cost is now!