How low can you go? - Daisycutting Mossie @ Seletar 1953

[F3]

While leafing through some v. old mags I came across this dramatic shot of a Mossie performing a really low run, probably the lowest I've ever seen. The pilot certainly did nt want to be coughing or sneezing. Judging by the location and type I'm guessing it was an 81 Sqn a/c and folwn by a F/Sgt. Anderson. Thought it might interest you. If anyone can find a pic of anything flying lower I'd be interested in seeing it.

Mosquito PR34A flown by F Sgt Anderson @ Seletar '53 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[eLaReF]

If you post it on Facebook, the wags will write that you could get a Buccaneer under it!
Great shot

[F3]

I remember that when the wife's brother in law was stationed up @ Lossie in the '80s one of the Bucc boys pushed down a bit too far and ended up rupturing the belly fuel tank putting the runway out of use. Doubt if the CO was particularly amused.
Heard similar story from an ex Lightning SENGO about an incident at either Horsham St. Faith or Binbrook.
I believe that on one Red Flag exercise the Buccs evaded interception by flying beneath the Vulcans, or so I've been told!
So yes; the Buccs undoubtedly were low level specialists but I think that would be too thick a Line to shoot.

[raptor9]

Lots of old pilots etc.,etc.,

[Shawfarm]

A popular story referencing 12 Sqd when they flew the Buccaneer was that they earned that number as they were never above 12 feet from the runway when the wheels were raised on take off.

[Mustang531]

Interesting pic and nice to see a Mosquito again. Regarding low flying, some of us can remember Don Bullock daisycutting in the B-17 and his A-26 at various shows. I was at Biggin Hill that day in September 1980 when the A-26 crashed with serious loss of life, I never want to experience anything like that again.

[F3]

We were @ Duxford once when we saw the A-26 in the distance heading towards Cambridge. On asking one of the volunteer Lineys if it would be coming in we were advised that he'd been warned off because of flying dangerously which turned out to have been a prescient move.

[luxto]

Lowest I ever witnessed is on a par with the Mossi and maybe slightly lower. This was RBAF F-84F FU52 doing a low level beat up along Wethersfields Rwy 28 on Armed Forces Day, 8th of August 1964. There are pictures of it on the web.
Another one that sticks in the mind was a photo in Flight magazine of an RAAF Canberra flying through an open ended hangar over some brave chap who was horizontal on the hangar floor.

[bvs]

Another one that sticks in the mind was a photo in Flight magazine of an RAAF Canberra flying through an open ended hangar over some brave chap who was horizontal on the hangar floor.

I hate to disillusion you Luxto but the Canberra photo you refer to was mocked up by having the Canberra up on Jacks and then 'retouched' to remove the jacks from the picture.

[F3]

Did nt think that would have been possible as the Canberra was a sizeable a/c. The only time I know of an a/c definitely being flown through a hangar was for the George Formby film 'It's In The Air' and the a/c concerned was either a Hawker Hind or Hart. I remember my old Dad telling me this and he could even name the pilot who performed this stunt, which I can't remember. Even by today's standards a very impressive feat. If you don't believe me watch the film. It's sure to be on You Tube or somewhere.

[Mustang531]

Regarding the George Formby film, it was a Hawker Fury that was flown through the hangar. The pilot later became a member of the Few, but believe he was KIA during the Battle of Britain. If I've got a spare couple of hours, I'll have a look.

[Mustang531]

Further to my reply above, I've done a bit of digging. Originally a Gloster Gladiator was filmed flying through a hangar at RAF Debden, but the RAF wouldn't sanction the use of the clip in the film, in case it encouraged others. The pilot was Dickie Lee, who was later lost in the Battle of Britain, he went missing over the English Channel. But there was some filming at Hanworth Air Park near Feltham. It wasn't a Hawker Fury, but both a Hawker Demon and a pair of Hawker Audax were used for filming, but no clues as to who the pilot was. It's many years since I saw the film, but someone out there might have a DVD.

[luxto]

Another one that sticks in the mind was a photo in Flight magazine of an RAAF Canberra flying through an open ended hangar over some brave chap who was horizontal on the hangar floor.

I hate to disillusion you Luxto but the Canberra photo you refer to was mocked up by having the Canberra up on Jacks and then 'retouched' to remove the jacks from the picture.

Thought it was too good to be true.

[F3]

Further to my reply above, I've done a bit of digging. Originally a Gloster Gladiator was filmed flying through a hangar at RAF Debden, but the RAF wouldn't sanction the use of the clip in the film, in case it encouraged others. The pilot was Dickie Lee, who was later lost in the Battle of Britain, he went missing over the English Channel. But there was some filming at Hanworth Air Park near Feltham. It wasn't a Hawker Fury, but both a Hawker Demon and a pair of Hawker Audax were used for filming, but no clues as to who the pilot was. It's many years since I saw the film, but someone out there might have a DVD.

Well researched Mustang531. Knew it was one of the Hawker family and now you mention it I do recall dad telling me it was a Demon. He obviously did nt know about the Gladiator having originally been used which is a shame because it was one of his favourite a/c.