RNAS Stretton - H.M.S.Blackcap

[Beemer]

Ron, I have never heard or seen anything about a Short SB.6 Seamew. New to me. Beemer.

[viscount]

For information. The sole Supermarine Attacker preserved in Britain is displayed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton. There are no Short Seamew survivors at all. Source: 'Wrecks & Relics, 28' (2022).

[ronturner]

Ron, I have never heard or seen anything about a Short SB.6 Seamew. New to me. Beemer.

Come to think of it neither have I except perhaps there was a scrapyard somewhere near Leigh/Wigan, I have an inkling I saw best part of one there. I would not have known what it was had somebody like PHB not identified it. The evidence would have been on my black and whites,all of which my friend's mother "tidied up" one day.

[sabre]

I have a book titled "The World's  Worst Aircraft" in which the Seamew makes an appearance. The aim was a cheap, rugged anti submarine aircraft so it had a fixed undercarriage and manual wing folding.

In handling terms it was described as having some vicious tendencies. Sadly the test pilot died displaying it.

Some 24 were flown before orders for RAF Coastal Command and the Royal Navy were cancelled.

I tried to do a little research on the photo labelled "Mitchell.crash" but without success. The RN never flew it and the RAF's one's were out of service by the 1950. It could have an American heading for Burtonwood.

I then wondered whether the Mitchell perhaps referred to the aircrew rather than the aircraft. Does the author have any further info on this accident?

Admin adds: I will be thanking him for providing us with the images, so will ask him about the 'Mitchell' reference (which had me puzzled too). Admin has added into this post rather than an making an unnecessary additional post on the subject.

[Andy at Shell]

During the 1990's I worked in the Aviation Fuels Dept. for Shell Research Ltd at their Thornton Research Centre next to the Stanlow refinery. I was asked to dispose of a diesel injector pump tester and needed to ask 'Finance' whether the item was still on the books as an asset. They sent me a comprehensive list of 'all things Thornton'. On that list was the 'Appleton Test Facility' aka RNAS Blackcap which was purchased for £2000 in 1960. It was used by Shell to test aero engines and cars until the early 2000's.

[Tim Whitton]

Brilliant article.My late father Cmdr D B Whitton (then Lt)spent a few days here when he ran MARTSU in the late 60s.




























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