Aircraft wrecks in the sea

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By: Mutley5030 - 29th December 2001 at 00:17

Hi all

I am a scuba diver with an interest in aviation and was wondering if anyone has details of aircraft wreck sites that may be diveable in the uk.

I have heard of a few and would like to receive details of more.

Also, does anyone know the serial number and history of the Sea Vixen that has been sunk in Portland Harbour for some considerable time?

Many thanks

Ken aka Mutley5030

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By: JARAY1 - 29th December 2001 at 03:55 - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: Aircraft wrecks in the sea

This could be Sea Vixen FAW2 Tail No XS 581 (893 Squadron Fleet Air Arm)which crashed at night on 17 MAR 1966 killing both crew members.

PETER E HAMLIN

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By: Mutley5030 - 29th December 2001 at 11:22 - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: Aircraft wrecks in the sea

Thanks for the info Peter. However, I am under the impression that this particular aircraft was sunk for training purposes rather than as a result of a crash.

Regards

Ken

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By: JARAY1 - 29th December 2001 at 15:33 - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: Aircraft wrecks in the sea

That's unusual Ken, because aircraft disposal even for 'bent' airframes was usually through MOD.Why would a Sea Vixen be deliberately dumped in the sea for 'training'unless the RN were using it for their own divers? Twenty SVs crashed between 1966 and 1973 so unless it went down earlier, then XS 581 was the only crash in the Portland area that I know of.

PETER E HAMLIN

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By: Mutley5030 - 3rd January 2002 at 01:01 - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: Aircraft wrecks in the sea

Thanks for the info. I have been taking mine from a web site that deals with diving in Portland Harbour so maybe it was one that was sunk to train Navy divers. I think that I will have to ask in the Portland area dive shops and dive it myself.

Many thanks

Ken

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By: SADSACK - 8th January 2002 at 15:49 - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: Aircraft wrecks in the sea

Surely an airframe to be sunk would have been a time expired FAW1, not a brand new FAW2?

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By: Whitley_Project - 9th January 2002 at 01:13 - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: Aircraft wrecks in the sea

Hi Ken...

Looking for a dive buddy? I PADI advanced and would love to dive a/c in the channel.

Cheers

Elliott