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Posted by John S on Sun Jul 13, 2003 03:16:02 PM
In reply top Re: Sad news RNHF Firefly has crashed at Duxford posted by Tim S on Sat Jul 12, 2003 04:08:10 PM
Before the Stephen Grey "sticky u/c" incident the fire crew were deployed to assist when Stephen's Mk.XIV Spit (MV293 JE-J) must have ignited some fuel vapour or something (I'm no engine guru so be nice) and there were some spectacular flames to be seen - all was well though and she then took off for her display and the "sticky u/c" incident that followed.
The P-51D that was obviously in trouble (the not getting 3 greens was the story I heard also) was in fact "Twilight Tear. This incident was following the Balbo finale when everything had run through and broken out of formation when she then did a couple of slow fly-bys waggling her wings for visual confirmation I'm also assuming and waited until everything was down before coming back in safely, the fire boys were scrambled again and raced down the airfield after her but all was ok.
IMHO all these incidents were handled very professionally and safely by the pilots, ground and fire crews.
John S
Just as a footnote I would like to say that I saw the crash on Saturday and it was horrible. I had not 10 minutes before photographed the two guys in the Firefly as they taxied past me smiling and waving to the crowd......
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of both crew members