What am I ? ( better late than never ) by neiwil
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Description
A bit later than planned but here is the subject of the earlier quiz.
Type (OV-10A) originally built at Columbus, Ohio for US Marine Corps as a multi-role platform for reconnaissance and light ground attack purposes and used in Vietnam as a light gunship, a Forward Air Control platform and night observation/surveillance and laser/infrared-targeting. OV-10B developed for Target-Towing duties with solid rear door re-configured as a glass dome to allow viewing of target operations from the rear. This particular aircraft was originally allocated USMC serial 158308 and was 1 of 18 aircraft supplied to the West German Air Force as an unarmed target tug, a dozen of these were OV1-0B(Z) fitted with a centreline above-wing jet for additional thrust, although some later reverted to OV-10B standard. The type served from 1970 to 1990 (when replaced by the Pilatus PC-9). This aircraft, with WGAF serial 9932 and flown as D-9561, was retired from target-towing duties in 1991 and went for Aircraft Battle Damage Repair use at Fassberg with the Technische Schule der Luftwaffe 3 (Luftwaffe Technical School No 3). Acquired by Tony de Bruyn (aka German Wing of the OV-10 Bronco Association) and Re-Regd in the UK 9th June 2000 as G-BZGK in the name of Invicta Aviation Ltd. Despite use by students in the repair of simulated battle damage, it was in relatively good condition and over the next year was brought up to safe ferrying standard and flown to Duxford on 16.10.01. ARCo at Duxford was contracted to bring it back to full airworthiness and it flew on 11.7.07 and was issued with a Permit to Fly on 12.11.07.
The aircraft crashed during display practice at Cotswold Airport on July 10th 2012. The aircraft had just landed when it slid across the taxiway and the main runway. The pilot Tony de Bruyn, was rescued by Airport Fire Crew and treated until local authority emergency services arrived on scene. The 48-year old Belgian was taken by Wiltshire Air Ambulance Service helicopter to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol where he had surgery for two fractured vertibrae and burns. Tony de Bruyn has since made a full recovery.
Comments (8)
bmac62
Good pic Neil. Thanks for the update on plane and pilot. I went digging around...sounds like this crash-on-landing may have been during some form of low level flight demonstration (aerobatics), i.e., this was not a planned landing. From looking at the crash photos, looks like he could have 'pranged it' at the bottom of a loop too close to the ground violating the life-is-altitude rule...something Tailspin probably has done more than once. Glad to hear the pilot has fully recovered...he's very fortunate.
UVDan
Great planes. I used to work at a metal shop in Columbus with some guys who had worked on the XB-70. I was sad to see the plant close.
T.Rex
Beautiful photo, Neil. I remember well the model my brother had back in the 1960s, made of white plastic (of all colours!). And this photo is of the plane AFTER the crash? Excellent job restoring it. Thanks for the detailed history. It's fascinating to see all the places a plane can wind up in, and all the adventures in places far from the place of manufacture. Keep up the good work! :-)
neiwil
Good point T-Rex, no this photo was taken two weeks before the crash....
flavia49
great capture
Maxidyne
This was a new one on me Neil. Sad to hear of the crash and at least the pilot is fully recovered.
Osper
Never seen one painted quite like this.
debbielove
Yes, I knew it had pranged fatally for the aircraft... It is no more.. There is one left in the UK now at Duxford, still to fly.. Maybe one day? German has several in private hands.. They flew them in the Luftwaffe of course.. Great shot and it was lovely to get so close to it.. Rob PS, unfortunately Waddo is NOT on the same weekend as Legends this year mate.. Rob