Fairey Barracuda II - DP983 - 20/04/1944
Fairey Barracuda II Spec
Crew: 3
Length: 12.12 m
Height: 4.6 m
Wingspan: 14.99 m
Wing area: 4.09 m2
Empty Weight: 4241 kg
Max Weight: 6396 kg
Engine: 1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 32, 1223kW
Armament: 2 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 1 x 735kg torpedo or 726kg of bombs
Crew: 3
Length: 12.12 m
Height: 4.6 m
Wingspan: 14.99 m
Wing area: 4.09 m2
Empty Weight: 4241 kg
Max Weight: 6396 kg
Engine: 1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 32, 1223kW
Armament: 2 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 1 x 735kg torpedo or 726kg of bombs
The Barracuda DP983 coded `5L` from 830 Sqdn took from Hatston in 80 mph gale on 20/04/1944 to embark HMS Furious but hit balloon cable while in circuit and waiting for permission to land. Dispite being told all balloons were down four were still up anchored in the middle of Scapa Flow. The aircraft ditched in Scapa Flow from a height of 400 ft . The 3 Crew, Pilot Sub/lt R ''Dickie''.D.Williams, RNZNVR his Observer Sub/Lt Robert ''Bob'' Button RNVR and a Telegraphist Air Gunner (TAG) L.A Allan H Thomson, all escaped and were picked up by a 40 ft pinnace sent from HMS Rodney which at the time was anchored off the south end of Cava and witnessed the incident.
Aircraft sank and was deemed Cat.Z. Write off.
Aircraft sank and was deemed Cat.Z. Write off.
HMS Furious
Above. WW2 chart showing defences on Scapa Flow(UKHO) including sites of barrage balloons.
Above: AIR 27/2298 950 Squadron Ops Record Book 1943-44 (21/04/1944)
Allan Thomson T.A.G on Barracuda DP983 has been in touch and is convinced that the Barracuda hit one of the balloons to the NE of Cava. Local fishermen talk of an aircraft in this part of Scapa Flow and it is hoped to conduct a side scan sonar survey soon. Mr Thomson also says he remembers another Barracuda, as yet unidentified, ditching in Scapa Flow.
Above T.A.G L.A. Allan H Thomson photo: A Thomson
Painting ''Men of Tungston'' showing DP983 coded 5L during the first wave of the attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz in Norway on 3rd April 1944. Photo: A Thomson.
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