Hi Guys,Been checking this one out on the Web after Pobs' initial posting
and this is what I've found....
MUSTANG AND SKYRAIDER COLLIDE AT FLYING LEGENDS AT DUXFORD By Cambridge First , Cambridge-news.co.uk
3:06PM - Jul 10, 2011
HORSEMEN PILOTS NARROWLY MISS ACCIDENT Skyraider damage. Photo by Chris Sandham Bailey
Two aircrafts collided in mid air at RAF Duxford during its annual Flying Legends event Sunday.
One of the aircraft lost “chunks” of its wing. The pilot of one plane parachuted to safety before it crashed into trees
and the other aircraft was able to fly away safely and land.
No one was injured in the crash which involved a P-51 Mustang and a Skyraider.
Mark Brown, a pilot, from Warminster, was at the air show and witnessed the crash.
He said: “Three aircrafts form a triangle and then they peel off to the left one after the other.
As they did that the leader and the one that was following clipped each other.
“The Sky Raider lost a large chunk of its wing tip which fell to the ground.
“It went into a bit of a dive then sorted itself out. The other aircraft dived away from the airfield.
“They were only about 100 feet at this point. “Then we saw someone jump out and a parachute open.
It looked all right, so I assumed someone got out ok. There was no explosion or smoke.”
Henry Simpson, who was at the event and also witnessed the crash, said: “I saw two aircraft collide
and large chunks of metal falling from the aircraft. “One of them then entered a dive before crashing
into the ground behind some trees, the pilot did parachute to safety and the other plane landed safely.”
Jason Warden, from Leicestershire, said the Douglas Skyraider, which appeared not to see the mustang
and “turned in too tightly hitting the mustang”. “A chunk of wing fell from the Skyraider
which was quickly brought back under control.” He said people saw a chute open just before the aircraft hit the ground.
Here's a few pics of the collision....
Unit Formation just before incident
Skyraider and Mustang merge
P51 Pilot escapes (note: possible area of damage)
P51 Crash Site (no explosion or fire)
Farewell to "Big Beauitful Doll"
A very sad day for all WW2 vintage aircraft enthusiasts....
David
