Tribute to a fine crew and plane sadly departed...

[F3Hadlow]

I was at Duxford flying legends 2003 which of course meant I had the displeasure of witnessing the Firefly tragedy. I didn't take any pics of the crash itself and even if I had I would have deleted them. This was pretty much the last pass the Firefly and it's crew ever made. This photo is a tribute to both the crew and the machine showing them how they should be remembered best, flying gracefully in the sky and giving enjoyment to people on the ground. It isn't the best pic in the world but it means a lot to me, RIP...

[Craig.]

A nice tribute shot.
It really ticked me off the news reports showing the accident over and over, in some way to try and figure out what went wrong, despite knowing nothing.

[Woodlouse2002]

Tradgic.

[Fly2e]

Any link to this story?

[C]

There are a couple of BBC links to the news reports, one of which is "the crash in pictures". Insensitive journo *******s. I won't link them.

Here is the non-sensationalised MoD announcement. I still can't work out why the second crewmember was flying. I wouldn't have thought his presence was essential to the operation of the aircraft, and after numerous crashes where "passengers" have been killed in crashes, I was rather surprised when I heard two people had been killed.

[quote]Two killed in Firefly crash at Duxford
Published Sunday 13th July 2003



The Ministry of Defence regrets to confirm the death of two aircrew in an accident on 12 July at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, when a Fairey Firefly of the Royal Naval Historic Flight crashed during an airshow.

The pilot was Lieutenant Commander Bill Murton, while the crew member was Mr Neil Rix, a civilian aircraft fitter with the Historic Flight.

[C]

Anyway, the above aside, thanks for sharing a great shot of a much missed aircraft Steven.

RIP Bill Murton and Neil Rix, giving there lives for all those who enjoy visiting airshows each year.

Strangely enough I was at what the media though was WB271's first demise, when Pete Clark was killed when he failed to recover from an inverted spin in a Slingsby T67 Firefly at Old Warden. That was 10 years ago this year. 1996 was a terrible year for the show circuit (as bad as 2001), with TFC's P-38 and BAe's Mossie being lost on consecutive weekends in July...

[Hagar]

That's a nice shot. Unfortunately I never saw the Firefly.

I still can't work out why the second crewmember was flying. I wouldn't have thought his presence was essential to the operation of the aircraft, and after numerous crashes where "passengers" have been killed in crashes, I was rather surprised when I heard two people had been killed.

The RNHF seems to like carrying crew members during displays. The Swordfish usually had a full complement whenever I saw it. Possibly a reward for their interest or something. They don't seem to have much luck with their aircraft.

Most warbirds don't have room for passengers. I wonder how the BBMF goes on with their Lanc & Dak. I know it's not quite the same but I've seen them throw that Lanc around, sometimes at low altitude over the sea. I was amazed how manoeuvrable it is..

[beaky]

Terrible...I don't remember hearing about this.  Any idea what happened?

[cspyro21]

What a shame....I always wanted to see those two in action in their amazing aircraft.  :(

Makes me want to salute.......

and RIP indeed.  :(

[C]

[quote]Terrible...I don't remember hearing about this.

[Tweek]

That must be strange looking at that photo, and just thinking "a minute or so later, this was gone"...

Always worse when a warbird crashes... almost a certain loss of life, and a loss of a rare bird.

[ozzy72]

A wonderful photo and still a sad loss to the families and to the warbird community

[Fitter]

I know the feeling...I remember when I saw on the Tv  the aircraft crashing  :(

[F3Hadlow]

Thanks guys I'm glad you appreceate what this means photo as much as I do