Skua rescue in Norway
 

Here is a few pictures of last night rescue of a Blackburn Skua in Orkdalsfjord

cheers flyvrak

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

Thanks for posting. Very interesting that one of the Skua wrecks is lifted. Which aircraft individual??

Cheers
Goran

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

Not yet

Serials quoted so far for this are L2899 or L2986

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

Cheers Paul!
Goran

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

To my knowledge it is L2896. Unconfirmed source said it was found on the back of the pilot seat today. Also letter A found on tail fin.

cheers Kjell

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

Hello,

Re serial number
Those given here do not give up very much in way of info.

L2899
Del 803 Sqn DL dett Donibristle 13.2.39 (DLT Courageous) - 3.39; PD 4.9.41.

L2986
Del D Flt 2 AACU Eastchurch 6.6.39; D Flt 2 AACU to Gosport 4.9.39; D Flt 2 AACU Donibristle 13.4.40; FAA Gosport15.6.40; Tested Lee SS after mod 13.7.40.

L2896
TOC 803 Sqn Worthy Down 2.39 - 8.39; West Freugh (806 Sqn?) 4.40; To SAL for repair 6.6.40; Donibristle 10.1.41; 772 Sqn Machrihanish 1.43.

Ref: FAA Aircraft 1939-1945 (Air Brit)
So perhaps pilots seat was at sometime earlier changed from L2896 to another a/c ?


Alex

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

Hi again,
I have scanned through the Air Brit book perviously noted and also "Fledgling Eagles" .
I found -
7th May 1940
Lt. G.S. Russell with LA. H. Pickering crashed into the sea at Ofotfjord Russell lost a fingertip, both were rescued aircraft said to have been "A8G" serial number L2918.
But 14th May 1940, out of fuel, Lt. T.E. Gray with LA. A.G. Clayton force landed at Andoya in "A8S" serial number L2918.
8th May 1940
S/Lt P.N. Charlton with NA. F.Culliford ditched in Ofotfjord both rescued, But also that they force landed Tovik, Skanland (?)
Their a/c is said to have been "A8M" serial number L2916.
Also on the 14th May 1940 Lt. W.P.Lucy with Lt. M.C.E.Hanson, DSC in "A8H" serial number L2925 went into the sea off Tranoy Light Ofort Fjord both MIA.
There were a lot more lost but I think in other parts of Norway, including "A7L" serial L2931 of Lt(A) W.C.A.Church and SubLt (A) D.G.Willis both killed on the 27th April 1940 when their a/c burst into flames and losing its engine dived into the sea.

I hope that this info helps.
Another Anniversary gone by almost unmentioned.
Alex

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

Unless the history of L2986 has become swapped with L2896 - Not the first time this has happended." but again I note BOTH have a "history" after April 1940

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

Hello all.
Just returned from Trondheim after dismantling and preparing the Skua for the journey to Bodo.
We found the serialnumber L2896 written on the fueltank in the nose, below the cockpit floor and on the pilot seat. In addition, painted on the usual place on the fuselage, allthough the last digit was partly missing due to extensive damage to the tail. L289 is clear and easy to read. The last digit, the '6', is damaged and difficult to read but it looks like the '9' turned up-side down. This in mind, and the fact that we found it written on to seperate items, is good enough for me. When we start preserving all the details and parts in Bodo next week, we will of course have a keen eye for the serialnumber.

Regards
Bengt

Re: Skua rescue in Norway
 

Thanks for the update, Bengt. This indeed sounds like it is L2896. Can you confirm the "A" on the tailfin?

Kjetil Aakra