Hawker Hunter WT707 crash, RNAS Ford

[John]

A Hawker Hunter (WT707) comes to a bad end at RNAS Ford in January 1955. The Test Pilot, F.Murphy, suffered a 'flame out' and three attempts to relight, the last at 8000 ft, didn't succeed. On losing his radio and all electrics, he decided that he would land at Ford rather than baling out. Unfortunately he also suffered a failure in the hydraulics, and the emergency flap controls got stuck too. He realised that the only chance of stopping at 200 knots was to belly land on the grass - 18 severe bounces later (which left some spectacular grooves in the ground!), he was down in one piece - unlike his unfortunate Hunter. Making a statement from the Station sick bay, he ended his report with the laconic "I landed at 1219 hrs."

[John]

Some more images of a slightly buckled Hawker Hunter WT707..

[John]

18 severe bounces later (which left some spectacular grooves in the ground!), he was down in one piece

Groove left by the 2nd contact with the ground - a witness described the Hunter as 'porpoising' along the grass..