Grumman Wildcat.JV526.882 Sqdn.17/05/1944
This aircraft of 882 Sqdn, attached to HMS Searcher was in circuit waiting to land at Hatston on 17/05/1944 when it went into cloud only to appear in a near vertical dive. The pilot tried to pull out of the dive but hit the water half a mile to the north of Hatston.
The aircraft burst into flames then sank.The pilot,Lt Sidney W. Edney RNZNVR was killed and his body never recovered.
The ORB for the Shapinsay rescue launch reports aircraft was already on fire before it crashed. A search of the area just after the crash reports wreckage found which included Lt Edney's logbook.
The aircraft burst into flames then sank.The pilot,Lt Sidney W. Edney RNZNVR was killed and his body never recovered.
The ORB for the Shapinsay rescue launch reports aircraft was already on fire before it crashed. A search of the area just after the crash reports wreckage found which included Lt Edney's logbook.
Lt S.W.Edney RNZNVR
Lt Sidney William Edney is remembered on the New Zealand Naval Memorial, Devonport, Auckland. panel 8.
The wreck
ARGOS member Diver Dan Wise has seen wreckage near to the Scargun Shoal which included a landing wheel which looks very much like its from a Wildcat & another diver reports seeing a radial engine nearby. The wreckage is spread over a wide area and a further survey is needed.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 26 February 1971
SKIN DIVERS FIND PLANE WHILE fishing for scallops In the Bay of Firth, near Kirkwall, Orkney, two skin divers found a fighter plane believed to be a casualty from the last war. The divers—Eric Giles, from London, and Otto Klass, from South Wales—found alongside the wreckage, which was 35ft. down, a machine - gun and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition. Said Eric Giles yesterday; “Some of the ammunition appeared to have exploded before the aircraft bit the sea, probably on fire. ''We intend to go down again to have another look at the engine and pieces of fuselage. believe the plane to be British." „ The men are operating the 28ft boat Merlin and fliey have been in Orkney since September engaged on salvage and fishing.
ARGOS member Diver Dan Wise has seen wreckage near to the Scargun Shoal which included a landing wheel which looks very much like its from a Wildcat & another diver reports seeing a radial engine nearby. The wreckage is spread over a wide area and a further survey is needed.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 26 February 1971
SKIN DIVERS FIND PLANE WHILE fishing for scallops In the Bay of Firth, near Kirkwall, Orkney, two skin divers found a fighter plane believed to be a casualty from the last war. The divers—Eric Giles, from London, and Otto Klass, from South Wales—found alongside the wreckage, which was 35ft. down, a machine - gun and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition. Said Eric Giles yesterday; “Some of the ammunition appeared to have exploded before the aircraft bit the sea, probably on fire. ''We intend to go down again to have another look at the engine and pieces of fuselage. believe the plane to be British." „ The men are operating the 28ft boat Merlin and fliey have been in Orkney since September engaged on salvage and fishing.
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Kirkwall Bay (UKHO) Chart showing area of crash site (UKHO)
Sonar run overlaid on chart with Sonarwiz 5 software (UKHO)
C Max side scan sonar image of wreckage area 50m range 325kHz.
On our Video`s page we now have dive footage taken by Andy Jackson of the crash site. The engine and some pieces of airframe are still to be seen but it is doubtful these will ever be recovered without special permission as Lt Edney`s body was never found therefore it is
still strictly speaking a wargrave and like all aircraft is protected under the Military Remains Act.
still strictly speaking a wargrave and like all aircraft is protected under the Military Remains Act.
The above photos show the Wright engine still on the seabed. Photos: Scarborough Sub-Aqua Club.
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