Registration or Serial:
DT977
Operator: Royal Navy /
Naval Air Squadron
Operating Base: HMS
Wagtail; HMS Indefatigable (R10); Carrier Borne, Mobile; RAF 44 Grp. Transport; RN HMS Gannett.
Base Location: Ayr (Heathfield)
Aerodrome, Ayr, Scotland.
Current Airport Status: Operational
Civil Airport;
National Air Traffic Services (NATS): Scottish Area
Control Centre (SACC), Oceanic Area Control Centre (OACC),
Military Control, & Engineering.
Current Airport Name:
Glasgow (Prestwick) International Airport (EGPK)
(Principal airport data courtesy of
John Woodside,
A
Catalogue of UK Airfields)
Aircraft Nickname:
Firebox
Aircraft Type & Background
A
two-seater (pilot and observer) fleet reconnaissance,
anti-submarine, night fighter and strike aircraft used by the Fleet Air Arm
/ Naval Air Squadron
of the Royal Navy. Successor to the Fairey Fulmar, the
Fairey Firefly was considered a superior aircraft and was
powered by a Rolls Royce Griffon engine. The Firefly was equipped
with folding wings for use on aircraft carriers.
The
aircraft continued in service until 1950, when it was
retired from the FAA. Aircraft production continued,
however, until 1955; and the Firefly was still being used
elsewhere for several years after this.
Firefly fighters were engaged in action against the German
battleship, Tirpitz, and against targets in Norway,
Palembang and Japan.
Aircraft Accident Details
The Firefly featured here belonged to the 1772 Naval Air
Squadron. This particular Squadron was the first to fly over
the Japanese mainland, and the first British aircraft
to fly over Tokyo.
When Firefly DT977 crashed near Blaeloch Hill, both the
pilot, Sub/Lt. James Henry Fairclough and his navigator and
radio operator, Sub/Lt. Anthony John King perished in the
accident.
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Accident Date
26
October 1944
Accident
Site
SW of Blaeloch Hill
(E of
Bulstern)
Region: North Ayrshire
Nearest
town or village: Largs
or Fairlie
Lying beyond the SW shoulder of Blaeloch Hill, a short distance
from the 400m spot height nr. Bulstern.
Garmin GPS
(main impact point): NS 24051 54989
(engine): NS 24022 54975
Latitude/Longitude
(main impact point): 55 45'
22.22" / 04 48' 15"
(engine): 55 45' 22"
/ 04 48' 16.1"
OS Grid Ref: 63 / NS 239548
Hill Walking
Notes
Low rising moorland / hill slopes with some boggy ground.
Easily accessible from A760 (Dalry Road or 'Largs moor
road'), starting either between Fechan Farm and Blairpark
Farm and heading S by Brown Hill to Blaeloch Hill, or by
Muirhead Resr. near Catburn Farm and heading SW to Blaeloch
Hill.
Present Condition
Significant wreckage onsite, although mostly fragmented.
Largest items are remains of vee-engine or power plant, engine
reduction gear, wing sections, and flap with actuator rod.
Related Links
Video Clips
Other Links
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Below:
The manufacturer's plate for the Firefly's radio stack
Photo: 2007 G.
Metra
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Manufacturer's plate on left
reads as follows:
RECEIVER RACK
TYPE CBY-AG157 (?)
[Weight (?) ]
SERIAL 982 [or 902]
...... MODEL ARA ......
AIRCRAFT ...... EQUIPMENT
MANUFACTURED FOR
NAVY DEPARTMENT - BUREAU OF
SHIPS
BY
AIRCRAFT RADIO CORPORATION
BOONTON N.J. [i.e., New Jersey,
USA]
CONTRACT NOs. 74912
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