Gloster Gladiator N5643 SFF Shetland. 20/3/1940. Nr Sumburgh Airfield
Based at RAF Sumburgh Shetland in early 1940 was a squadron of Gloster Gladiator biplanes, though fast becoming outdated by the Hawker Hurricane, they were still in use here as the much needed Hurricanes were needed in the south of England.
On the afternoon of the 20 March around 15.40 hrs a Gladiator from Sumburgh Fighter Flight had been out searching for an aircraft believe crashed some 15 miles from the drome, but with nothing found the pilot Sgt A.E.Makins made his way back to the airfield.
The airfield at that time was still grass runways and whilst landing the Gladiator hit a cross-wind,touched down in a soft patch of ground and ballooned soon after crossing the road,in his attempt to recover the engine failed and he overran the drome, hit a bunker and overturned, fortunately the pilot escaped unhurt but the aircraft was a total write off.
On the afternoon of the 20 March around 15.40 hrs a Gladiator from Sumburgh Fighter Flight had been out searching for an aircraft believe crashed some 15 miles from the drome, but with nothing found the pilot Sgt A.E.Makins made his way back to the airfield.
The airfield at that time was still grass runways and whilst landing the Gladiator hit a cross-wind,touched down in a soft patch of ground and ballooned soon after crossing the road,in his attempt to recover the engine failed and he overran the drome, hit a bunker and overturned, fortunately the pilot escaped unhurt but the aircraft was a total write off.
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