RN Aircraft carrier Bulwark lost aircraft at sea near Nowra, Australia 1963-5.
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Were you the co pilot with David Dixon on the Wessex??? Back in Cyprus all those years ago??? if so and I have got the right date, time and place then I have a photo of the crash on deck..my daughters are trying to find out more about David's time spent in the Navy, by the time we married he had left the navy some years previous!!
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Sycamore - the pilot of that Vixen was a friend, Nick Parrett, who joined the RN the same day as me. Super guy, as was his Observer, Tim Woodford.
It was thought Nick became disoriented on the final turn of a night GCA into Changi whilst dealing with a hydraulic failure. He had taken off from Eagle. Both crew were still aboard the aircraft when the wreckage was eventually found submerged.
It was thought Nick became disoriented on the final turn of a night GCA into Changi whilst dealing with a hydraulic failure. He had taken off from Eagle. Both crew were still aboard the aircraft when the wreckage was eventually found submerged.
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The previous Hermes was sunk by the Japanese in the last war near Colombo. The Hermes you referred to laid a wreath in remembrance over the spot where the sinking occurred.
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Quote {crewman of Wessex 5 XT774 which crashed on board HMS Bulwark 17/0/1969}
I was on the same deployment. I came back on board in F they declared an emergency on our approach we had the same problem as the a/c that crashed
I was on the same deployment. I came back on board in F they declared an emergency on our approach we had the same problem as the a/c that crashed
Last edited by Jackw106; 17th Feb 2013 at 15:21.
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Always remember our Wessex exploding in mid air whilst doing RRRF all day operating between Hms Victorious and the RFA. In 1966 all 4 were lost ,i was on deck at the time!!! RIP
On 25 October 1965, two RN Hunters were lost near Buchan but there were no other RN aircraft recorded as being lost that date.
Is it possible that the RN crews you met had been notified of this accident to a pair of 764 Sqn aircraft in the UK that morning (UK time)?
Allowing for the time difference, it is possible that by evening in Australia, news of an accident in the UK morning could have filtered through over the comms net. There were no fatal casualties recorded for this collision BTW.
Old Duffer
Is it possible that the RN crews you met had been notified of this accident to a pair of 764 Sqn aircraft in the UK that morning (UK time)?
Allowing for the time difference, it is possible that by evening in Australia, news of an accident in the UK morning could have filtered through over the comms net. There were no fatal casualties recorded for this collision BTW.
Old Duffer
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H.M.S. Bulwark was originally a fixed wing aircraft carrier (1954 - 1958). Bulwark was paid of in 1958 for conversion to a helicopter carrier.
H.M.S. Bulwark Movements during March 1965 included: - Bulwark was using helicopters to resupply Australian troops in Sarawak.
March 1965, took part in exercise FOTEX 65, along with HMAS Melbourne, HMS Victorious and HMS Eagle and combined to give a total of 40 vessels from four navies. The exercise lasted three weeks.
the only aircraft lost by Bulwark (that I know of) during 1965 was a Hiller HT2 (XS164) on 09/04/1965. Lost over Borneo:
Also Wessex 1, No. XP108 on 04/04/1965 in Borneo:
Also Two Wessex 1's collided over Borneo on 12/04/1965:
NOTE
Did you know that Bulwark was used for Kestrel trials in 1966?
H.M.S. Bulwark Movements during March 1965 included: - Bulwark was using helicopters to resupply Australian troops in Sarawak.
March 1965, took part in exercise FOTEX 65, along with HMAS Melbourne, HMS Victorious and HMS Eagle and combined to give a total of 40 vessels from four navies. The exercise lasted three weeks.
the only aircraft lost by Bulwark (that I know of) during 1965 was a Hiller HT2 (XS164) on 09/04/1965. Lost over Borneo:
Also Wessex 1, No. XP108 on 04/04/1965 in Borneo:
Also Two Wessex 1's collided over Borneo on 12/04/1965:
NOTE
Did you know that Bulwark was used for Kestrel trials in 1966?
Last edited by hval; 20th Feb 2013 at 18:23.
