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A Hawker Hurricane ditched in Plymouth Sound in 1945, sadly the 21 year old pilot Albert Gledhill RNZAF was killed in the crash.

Types

Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC

History

On 2nd March 1945, Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC LF638 from 691 (AAC) Squadron RAF based at RAF Harrowbeer was on an anti-aircraft co-operation flight over Plymouth Sound, providing training for Royal Navy gunners. During the flight the aircraft’s engine failed so the pilot ditched the aircraft in Plymouth Sound off Drake’s Island.  An RAF rescue launch was quickly on the scene and rescued the pilot, F/Sgt (NZ4214048) Albert William Conrad Gledhill RNZAF. Gledhill was taken to RAF Mount Batten where he later died from head injuries sustained in the crash.  Gledhill was buried at Haycombe Cemetery near Bath, he was the son of Clarance Conrad Gledhill and Louisa Catherine Mary Gledhill (nee Stent), of Petone, Wellington, New Zealand.  

Location

Off Drake's Island, Plymouth Sound. The remains of this aircraft have not been found.

Please note that all aircraft in UK waters that have crashed during military service are protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

Last updated 15 Feb 2022

Position GPS: Unknown

 


Information

Date Lost:

02 Mar 1945

Type:

Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC

Builder:

Hawker Aircraft Ltd.

Serial Number:

LF638

Unit:

691 (AAC) Squadron RAF

Base:

RAF Harrowbeer, Devon

Pilot:

F/Sgt Albert William Conrad Gledhill RNZAF, (NZ4214048), Age 21, KIA

Construction

Aluminium, some steel, fabric

Propulsion

1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin XX V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine

Status

Crashed, not found

Reference

None

.

 


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