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Miles Martinet MS617 ?  771 SQ.  1/5/1944   Rousay Isle, Orkney.
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​On 1st May 1944 a Miles Martinet from 771 Squadron at HMS Tern, took off for a target towing exercise off the east coast of Orkney, it is not clear as records have been destroyed what really happened during that flight, but according to locals the aircrafts engine was heard spluttering suggesting fuel problems, and as it flew in low across the east coast of Rousay, perhaps in an attempt to crash-land,the aircraft hit the ground just below a hill and burst into flames killing the two Royal Navy airmen instantly.

​The serial number of the aircraft is at present not known but from a process of elimination of Martinets that were on charge with 771 at that time, it is likely to have been MS617. S.o.C  with 771 Sq 7/44.
 
Both crew are buried in St,Olaf`s cemetery, Kirkwall, Orkney.
 
PILOT:  Petty Officer (A) George Herbert Abbott. RN.
 
TAG:     Leading Airman   Alec Stuart Boar. RN

PO George H.Abbott, ​Photo: Elizabeth Abbott via D Earl.​                              L/ A Alec S.Boar.Photo: Ken Sims via D Earl.
​Both the crew were buried in St.Olaf`s,Kirkwall. Photos: Dave Earl.

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​Above:  Elizabeth Abbott a relative of the pilot George Abbott visited the crash area on Rousay on a misty day in May 2007.  Photo: Elizabeth Abbott.
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​Above: Elizabeth`s partner Doug (Left) with Rousay farmer Sinclair Taylor in the field below the crash site. Photo: Elizabeth Abbott.
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​Above: With Elizabeth & Doug in `The Noust` pub in Orphir in May 2007. L to R: Dave Ramsey,Dave Earl,Elizabeth & Doug and Geoff Bland. Photo: Dave Earl.            

The Engine
​
​The Engine from this aircraft was removed from Rousay many years ago and sat in a pit in a garden in Norseman between Finstown and Rendall for a while before being lost. ARGO&S members found the engine with the help of local man Irvine Wood. 
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​Irvine Wood with William Shearer back at the site where the Bristol Mercury engine lay for many years.  Photo: Dave Earl
                           Bristol Mercury Engine                                                                          Mini Geo Data

​survey taken over the engine, 24th August 2009 with a Whites TM 808 with a Mini Geo attached. the grid is 5m x 5 m. It looks like the engine may well sit upright in the hole? A licence will now be applied for to remove the engine and see what condition it is in.  (W.Shearer/K Heath)




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All rights reserved. Due to the immense amount of research that enabled us to build this site we would like to point out that all material on this website is owned by A.R.G.O.S  though photos are credited to their respective owners. Anyone wishing to use material for their own website or any other purpose are requested to contact us first expressing their wishes. Permission will usually be granted to none profit making ventures, i.e. websites for educational and/or historical purposes, though a link to this website and acknowledgement to the original owners of any photographs will usually be requested.     
 

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • ORKNEY
    • UNDERWATER SITES >
      • Wildcat JV751 Scapa Flow
      • Avenger JZ159 Scapa Flow
      • Vickers Warwick BV417
      • Fairey Barracuda II DP983
      • Airspeed Oxford BG555
      • MYSTERY AIRCRAFT IN SCAPA FLOW
      • Buccaneer XW540
      • The mystery of Wellesley K7734
      • Kirkwall Spitfire BL253
      • Kirkwall Wildcat JV526
      • Kirkwall Tarpon (Avenger) FN899
      • ORKNEY LOST AT SEA
      • ORKNEY INLAND WATER SITES
    • ORKNEY PROJECTS >
      • Seafire's MB362 & MB369
      • Martlets FN284 & FN288
      • Spitfire X4108
      • Spitfire TB914
      • Miles Martinet MS617?
      • B 24H Liberator 42-50331
    • EARLY HISTORY
    • HISTORY OF CIVIL AVIATION
    • ORKNEY LAND SITES
    • ORKNEY HIGH GROUND
    • ORKNEY AIRFIELDS
    • CALDALE CAMP & AIRSHIPS
    • THE BLACK BUILDING
    • BARRAGE BALLOON SITES
    • COASTAL DEFENCE BATTERIES & SEARCHLIGHTS
    • FALCOETTE TARGET DRONE
  • SHETLAND
    • SHETLAND HIGH GROUND SITES
    • Shetland Underwater Aircraft Crash Sites
    • SHETLAND LAND CRASH SITES
  • FAIR ISLE
    • Radar and Anti Aircraft defences on Fair Isle
  • ORKNEY & SHETLAND AVIATION MEMORIALS & MONUMENTS
  • BOOKS
  • LINKS