Scimitar Crash nr Ben Vorlich 10 Nov 1959
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Apologies for being so late to this thread.
Returning to the original subject, I knew Nigel G-R in 1961-62 at Lee when he was Flag Leutenant to FOAH and used to drive the Admiral's barge around, a four engined version of the Dove (Devon?).
Porohman's mention of the Buckler 90 almost certainly referred to Nigel. When I knew him he owned a Lotus 11 sports racing car which he used to compete in club races with me as his mechanic. Although outclassed by the later Lolas he usually gave a good account of himself.but this finally ended at Goodwood when he broke a stub axle going into Madgewick and did a 180 into the boondocks.
I concur with the previous opinions, he was a gentleman and a smashing chap to boot.
We sent the bits to the lab at RNARY Fleetlands for analysis and they reported back that it was a fatigue failure, so that spelled the end of the Lotus.
Nigel then bought a 1952 Formula 2 Alta from a brewery owner who lived about 10 miles north of Fareham. Marvellous piece of machinery; rubber suspension that pre-dated the mini by ten years, sit-up-and-beg leather armchair and a dope engined four cylinder two litre engine machined out of a solid block of aluminium. My lasting impression is that the owner (very civil, drew us a pint apiece from his own cellars) introduced Nigel to his wife as "Lt Rear-Grease"!!! Collapse of stout party!
We towed the Alta back to Lee behind my 105E Anglia. On starting off I checked the rear view mirror to see Nigel waving furiously, I of course stopped to see what was wrong, so did Nigel as he ran into the back of my car. No brakes.
I could ramble on but there seems to be no point, I was so sad to read of his death. Strange that someone who lived life to the full should have met such a mundane end. There again, it's well known that apple trees are more dangerous than Scimitars.
Returning to the original subject, I knew Nigel G-R in 1961-62 at Lee when he was Flag Leutenant to FOAH and used to drive the Admiral's barge around, a four engined version of the Dove (Devon?).
Porohman's mention of the Buckler 90 almost certainly referred to Nigel. When I knew him he owned a Lotus 11 sports racing car which he used to compete in club races with me as his mechanic. Although outclassed by the later Lolas he usually gave a good account of himself.but this finally ended at Goodwood when he broke a stub axle going into Madgewick and did a 180 into the boondocks.
I concur with the previous opinions, he was a gentleman and a smashing chap to boot.
We sent the bits to the lab at RNARY Fleetlands for analysis and they reported back that it was a fatigue failure, so that spelled the end of the Lotus.
Nigel then bought a 1952 Formula 2 Alta from a brewery owner who lived about 10 miles north of Fareham. Marvellous piece of machinery; rubber suspension that pre-dated the mini by ten years, sit-up-and-beg leather armchair and a dope engined four cylinder two litre engine machined out of a solid block of aluminium. My lasting impression is that the owner (very civil, drew us a pint apiece from his own cellars) introduced Nigel to his wife as "Lt Rear-Grease"!!! Collapse of stout party!
We towed the Alta back to Lee behind my 105E Anglia. On starting off I checked the rear view mirror to see Nigel waving furiously, I of course stopped to see what was wrong, so did Nigel as he ran into the back of my car. No brakes.
I could ramble on but there seems to be no point, I was so sad to read of his death. Strange that someone who lived life to the full should have met such a mundane end. There again, it's well known that apple trees are more dangerous than Scimitars.
Flightwatch - Just seen this thread. Stumpy and I were on 360 at the same time in the sixties - indeed he and I married on the same day - not to each other I hasten to add. I remember a photo in his log book of a Scimitar with its wing cut through to the main spar by a high tension cable that had crossed a fjord in Norway. Stumpy and Dave Moore (who sadly died in the RR Spitfire) also had an incident in a Canbera T4 involving a practice EFATO in a Canberra, which all went to worms and Norman Lake ejected, but unfortunately without the hatch going first, and was killed. As I recall, Stumpy was usually at the centre of any party.
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Scimitar Crash nr Ben Vorlich 10 Nov 1959
Hello all,
I've just seen this posting from 2008, and I wish I could help you, because the pilot was my father's 2nd Cousin.
I had heard that Nigel had ejected over the Highlands of Scotland in 1959 and that he was missing for 3 days, in awful weather. But I don't know the whole story and none of our remaining family seems to have the full story.
I did hear that he died years later, after falling from an apple tree, but again that story is vague.
Any other information would be gratefully received.
Sincerely,
Malcolm Grier Samuel.
I've just seen this posting from 2008, and I wish I could help you, because the pilot was my father's 2nd Cousin.
I had heard that Nigel had ejected over the Highlands of Scotland in 1959 and that he was missing for 3 days, in awful weather. But I don't know the whole story and none of our remaining family seems to have the full story.
I did hear that he died years later, after falling from an apple tree, but again that story is vague.
Any other information would be gratefully received.
Sincerely,
Malcolm Grier Samuel.
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RIP Stumpy, a great shipmate and friend. As far as I recall he did bang out of a Scimitar in, I think, 1966. This was in Ark and was 803's last time at sea. The Air Group disembarked in June just in time to watch England beat Germany in the World Cup. In my seven months on board I think 803 lost eight aircraft but I could be wrong. Two for Bush, one for Stumpy and I can't remember the others. However, no pilots were lost. Great days. Great flying. GW
I've not a lot to add to this, but it's interesting.
Genghis Sr (my dad, who is still very much alive and well) did his apprenticeship at South Marston building Scimitars, then went into the drawing office where he worked on late in life mods to the Attacker. Every few years I have to take my brother's kids to Yeovilton to see the Scimitar there as it's "the aeroplane that Grandad built", although Dad tells me that the exact serial number isn't one of his - it's close enough.
These histories and connections bring it all alive don't they?
G
Genghis Sr (my dad, who is still very much alive and well) did his apprenticeship at South Marston building Scimitars, then went into the drawing office where he worked on late in life mods to the Attacker. Every few years I have to take my brother's kids to Yeovilton to see the Scimitar there as it's "the aeroplane that Grandad built", although Dad tells me that the exact serial number isn't one of his - it's close enough.
These histories and connections bring it all alive don't they?
G
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after Scimitar?
Does anyone know if Nigel Grier-Rees went on to fly further RN combat aircraft following the retirement of the Scimitar & I have researched material without success.
I was fortunate to see a Scimitar displayed on the deck of the USS Intrepid in New York around five years ago and thought of Nigel , but apparently XD220 is no longer seen as suitable for display and has been transferred to a land based collection up river, a shame as it made the types final flight in RN service.
I can’t figure when looking at the Intrepid’s ensemble how a naval Scimitar has become an unwanted black sheep, maybe it would be better with a U.K. collection?
I was fortunate to see a Scimitar displayed on the deck of the USS Intrepid in New York around five years ago and thought of Nigel , but apparently XD220 is no longer seen as suitable for display and has been transferred to a land based collection up river, a shame as it made the types final flight in RN service.
I can’t figure when looking at the Intrepid’s ensemble how a naval Scimitar has become an unwanted black sheep, maybe it would be better with a U.K. collection?
