16 Aircraft Photo's from Mr. Frank Broughtons collection.

These photo's were taken whilst HMS Illustrious was being for "Deck Landing Trials" during the late 1940's and early 1950's.

They show a variety of aircraft being tested and, at the bottom of the collection, I have put together a series of photo's showing what must have been an all too frequent outcome during these training periods.

                                                                                                       Dragonfly.                                    This looks like a Fairey Gannet, but is it ??.                                DeHavilland Sea Hornet.

With reference to the photo above querying whether the aircraft shown is a "Fairey Gannet" I can now say that it is not. It was designed to meet the same specification, ie:- G.R.17/45, and it is one of the prototypes produced by "Blackburn". There were quite a few variations involving either Piston engines and being known as "B-54 / Y.A.5, 7," etc. depending on which engine was fitted, or its suffix was B-88 if a "Gas Turbine" driving its contra rotating propellers had been installed. 

The "Fairy Gannet" was eventually selected and went into Squadron service. 

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                                                                                                                           Fairey Firefly landing on, and a fly past by 7 of them.                                                           Westland Wyvern.

A very lucky escape was made by Pilot Lt. Bruce Macfarlane, of 813 Sqn embarked on HMS Albion on 13th October 1954 who had to eject from his "Wyvern" at around 80ft. underwater, after his aircraft had crashed due to engine "Flameout" on take off. 

This was a common occurrence due to the high "G" forces involved when catapulting off. He crashed in front of HMS Albion and had been overrun and his aircraft cut in half by her. This prompted the introduction of "Angled Flight decks", and the use of Helicopters for crash rescue rather than the then common Destroyer. One can be seen astern in the picture of a Firefly landing on above and is probably HMS Obedient.

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Supermarine Attacker.

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Gloster Meteor.

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Below is a compilation of photos from the RN and Dutch Navy who were using HMS Illustrious for their "Deck Landing Trials".

As can be seen they were not always too successful, but as the saying goes, "If you can walk away from it ..............."

Is it any wonder that those people who did this back in the 40's and 50's now have "Grey Hair".

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"Click" HERE to return to HMS Illustrious or HERE to return to "Index 1". - Aircraft Carriers.