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Finding Sir Francis in the Atlantic
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Many thanks to David Akhurst for the photographs |
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WR977 - one of the aircraft that
spotted Sir Francis Chichester on his return trip |
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The
Shackleton aircraft were dispatched to search for the Gipsy Moth on
her return from rounding the horn, the Moth hadn't been sighted
since rounding the horn and two aircraft flew to commence the
reconnaissance. Peter Morris one of the navigators on WB845 piloted
by Sqn Ldr. Archie Kinch. Peter Morris took this film as they
identified and passed by Sir Francis.
Peter says that: The other aircraft (WR 977) was directed to us, the
reporters could not take photographs until both aircraft were in
position. During this time I was able to take some 8 m/m film.
Peter
kindly donated this 8mm film to the Exhibition .
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SEARCH FOR GYPSY MOTH IV 25TH MAY 1967
I was serving at R.A.F. St. Mawgan on the Maritime Operational
Training Unit (MOTU) as Chief Weapons Instructor. It was decided
that a crew from the staff would go to search for Gypsy Moth IV.
Sqn.Ldr.Archie Kinch was the Pilot and captain, I was to be the
navigator with Dave White (Another navigat1on instructor) I cannot
remember who the rest of the crew were. We were to go with an
aircraft from 42 Sqn WR977 a Mk III Shackleton. We were flying the
training version a Mk T4 WB 845. We were each allocated areas of the
Atlantic to search. Each aircraft carried a number of reporters. Our
instructions were that no photographs were to be taken until both
aircraft were over Gypsy Moth. We both took off at about the same
time, I think it was a transit time of about 3 hours to the search
area. We started a creeping line ahead search. This consists of
search lines which are twice the visibility apart so that the object
being searched for will be visible on one of the legs. About halfway
through the search Gypsy Moth IV was found. The other aircraft was
homed in to our position. Whilst this was happening I was able to
take photo’s with my 8 m/m cine camera.
After circling for a while so that the reporters could take their
photographs we made a low level approach and dropped a canister
containing a congratulations message. However Sir Francis did not
attempt to retrieve it, even though it brushed along side the yacht.
In fact throughout the whole event he did not wave or acknowledge
our presence, he just sat looking straight ahead. I think he did not
wish to be found approaching the UK.
After this we returned to RAF St. Mawgan for debriefing, the whole
sortie taking 9.25 hours
Peter Morris |
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The Gipsy Moth historic
collection is offered for sale at
$200,000 USD |
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