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Registration
or Serial:
L9817
Operator: Royal Air Force
(Torpedo Training Unit)
Operating Base: RAF Abbotsinch /RN HMS
Sanderling
Base
Location: Abbotsinch, near Paisley / Glasgow
Current
Airport Status: Operational
Civil Airport
Current
Airport Name: Glasgow International Airport (EGPF)
(Principal airport data courtesy of
John Woodside,
A
Catalogue of UK Airfields)
Aircraft Type & Background
A
twin-engine large reconnaissance, torpedo bomber and mine-laying
aircraft, the Beaufort's design was based on
the Bristol Blenheim light bomber. For a time, they used two Taurus
14-cylinder radial engines (or, sometimes, Pratt and Witney Twin
Wasps). The aircraft could travel at about 260 mph (418 km/h), but
the speed fell when carrying a torpedo. Carrying a crew of four, the
Beaufort operated as the standard
torpedo bomber between 1940 and 1943.
Bristol
Beauforts were used by both the RAF (Coastal Command) and the Fleet
Air Arm. They were used also by the SAAF and the RAAF; and, indeed,
many Beaufort's were manufactured in Australia for use in the
Pacific arena.
Aircraft Accident Details
This
aircraft left RAF Abbotsinch to carry out a torpedo training
exercise over the torpedo range in the Firth of Clyde near Largs, Ayrshire.
At the
time of the accident, the Beaufort was circling over the Largs hills
to make another approach over the torpedo range. However, during the circling manoeuvre, the aircraft
struck Knockside Hills (nr. Irish Law), impacting itself in the
ground.
Of the
four crew members, Sgt. Jannet and Sgt. Jack died in the accident.
Sgt. Walter was injured, and the fourth member of the crew, Sgt.
Bower escaped injury.
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Above: Bristol Beauforts of 100
Squadron RAAF |
Accident Date
27
October 1941
Accident
Site
Knockside Hills
Region: North Ayrshire
Nearest town or village:
Largs
Located on one of the two peaks comprising
Knockside Hills, S of Irish Law.
Garmin GPS:
not yet available
OS Grid Ref:
not yet available
Hill Walking
Notes
[Accident
location only. No known remains.]
Easily
accessible low rising moorland / hill slopes with some rough
ground in places.
Full hill
walking equipment recommended, including map & compass (GPS
optional). All hill areas subject to fluctuating weather
conditions with extensive mist at times.
Present Condition
The
wreckage was removed from the site by an RAF recovery team. As it
was close to a main road, recovery was relatively easy. To date, no
remaining parts of the wreckage have been discovered on site.
Below: Bristol Beaufort Torpedo
Bomber
 Related Links
Articles and photos of the Bristol Beaufort are available at the following
sites:
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