WIX Archives
Re: The case for MV459?? Or Not ??
Posted by Bruce Gordon on Tue Feb 11, 2003 08:03:48 AM
In reply top The case for MV459?? Or Not ?? posted by Paul McMillan on Tue Feb 11, 2003 06:44:19 AM
Paul
There are other indicators to indicate stbd cam failure. The aircraft would have suffered catastrophic loss of power, coupled with a fire from the stbd side of the aeroplane, from the exhaust stacks. Gear selection would indicate a loss of stbd cam as the hydraulic pump is run off there. That said, he wouldnt want to risk gear selection in this sort of landing.
However, I agree with you that there seems to be no sign of the engine, or indeed the tank cover forward of the cockpit, which is almost as heavy a gauge as the leading edge skins.
I suspect that the airframe was spares recovered and then abandoned to its fate.
Mind you, there does appear to be what looks like a propeller hub up on the bank of the ditch.
Very interesting.....
Bruce
: Crashed 23 May 1947 MV459 Spifire LF.VIIIc of RIAF at Mull
: ana Village, 10 miles from Ambala
:
: Reason: The engine (Merlin 66) starboard camshaft sheared
: and the engine failed, pilot made a wheels up landing on a
: dry river bed. Cat: Flying Accident/Cat E (P/O A D'Cruz O
: K) and SOC 26.6.47
:
: Now, the investigation showed that the starboard camshaft
: failed.. This could only be established if the engine was
: removed and stripped down.. There does NOT appear to be an
: engine attached to the aircraft see:
:
: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/02082215.htm
:
: So they may have taken the engine off, but left the rest o
: f the frame in situ as this would be easier for investigat
: ion purposes and just leave the hulk....
:
: Also, it says dry river bed, this would be prior to monsoo
: n season which is around June..
: