Another Hellcat loss !

[cheesey]

Hello all.

Just read the post re Hellcat losses and thought that i'd add a request of my own. I have posted here and elsewhere requesting info on this loss but to no avail. So I thought I would try again !

I have attached a poor quality photo of a FAA (?) Hellcat lifted from the sea off the Channel Island of Herm, the small island just east of Guernsey. The pic dates from the early 70s. Sadly very little now remains of the wreck save for a few engine bits.

According to local legend the a/c was shot down by German Flak on or around D-Day. The plane came down near to Herm and the pilot captured. I have been unable to discover any info on the loss and it remains a bit of a mystery. I have the diary entry's for 800 and 804 Sqn., FAA for that date (carrier based and guarding the western approaches for Overlord) which make no mention of a loss.

Is it a Fleet Air Arm Hellcat ? Is the date correct or could it be earlier/later ? Could anyone help ? Thanks, Steve.