RAF Sunderland flying boat crash WW2 film....

[Liberator]

An amazing film from WW2 of a crash of a RAF Sunderland flying boat - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZfVEoZmt-c

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Despite the film title, not a "crash" but an intentional and well-performed belly landing. Can't call it a gear-up landing, since they didn't have any gear...

[Warbird Kid]

That's one for the diorama builders.

[The Inspector]

A curious observation, the aircraft slides to a halt and everyone gets off the airplane but the engines were left running for what appears to be several minutes, then after a cut in filming all four engines including #1 with bent blades are all in feather a case of 'now, what am I forgetting here?' or what....inquiring knows want to mind

[old iron]

Any thoughts on whether this plane might have flown again?

[51fixer]

Any thoughts on whether this plane might have flown again?

From the You Tube description-

Short Sunderland T-9114, Aircraft 'E' for Emu of 461 Squadron, Coastal Command sustained a large hole in the hull plates in the region of the toilet when taking off in a lumpy sea 150 nautical miles beyond Bishop Rock, after rescuing crews of two other Coastal Command aircraft. One of these was a Whitley and the other was Sunderland 'O' of 461 Squadron RAAF which had crashed while attempting to land to rescue the Whitley crew.
Sunderland 'E' landed in the open sea at 7.00 hours (Double British Summer Time) at a spot 175 nautical miles southwest of Bishop Rock and picked up the two crews from dinghies. As the sea was too rough for a take off the Sunderland began taxiing towards England and at about 10.00 hours was met by the Free French destroyer La Combattante. The destroyer took 21 persons including five of the Sunderland 'E' crew on board and sent an armourer to disarm the aircraft's depth charges which were then jettisoned.
At 13.00 hours the destroyer took the Sunderland in tow but many difficulties were met. Finally at 15.00 hours the towline broke and at 18.00 hours preparations were completed for take off. This had to be commenced across wind because of the state of the sea and took three or four times as long as usual. It was finally achieved after turning head-on to the wind and striking large waves, the last one of which hurled the Sunderland into the air but also ripped a large hole in the hull. This ruled out any possibility of a sea landing.
At 20.00 hours Sunderland 'E' was near the entrance to Milford Haven and its skeleton crew spent the next half hour throwing overboard flares and loose heavy items in preparation for a crash landing. These preparations proved unnecessary when a gentle landing was made at 20.40 hours on the grassy Angle airfield. Half of 461 Squadron was at Angle airfield to see the landing and the unorthodox disembarkation of the crew. The motley uniforms worn by the crew were what were left after wet survivors of the two rescued crews had been given an open go at the clothing originally worn and carried by the crew of 'E'.
The destroyers delivered all of its passengers safely including a pilot of Sunderland 'O' of 461 Squadron RAAF who had been very badly injured. Apart from him all the others were able to continue with their duties as soon as aircraft could be found for them. Sunderland 'E' for Emu never flew or floated again." (Commentary written by Harry Winstanley, DFC)
Crew members:
Captain 400841 Pilot Officer (PO) Gordon O. Singleton of St Kilda, Vic;
Co-Pilot 415195 Flight Sergeant Pearce E. Taplin of Midland Junction,WA;
Navigator 401356 PO Harry Winstanley DFC of Geelong, Vic;
Engineer 9429 Sergeant (Sgt) H. Hall of Moonee Ponds, Vic;
Wireless operator-mechanic Flt/Sgt Ronald (Hughie) Church, RAF;
Wireless operator-gunner 405228 Sgt Johnny Lewis of Brisbane, Qld;
Airgunner 407210 Flight Officer George Viner of Adelaide, SA.
Category:
Autos & Vehicles
License:
Standard YouTube License

[51fixer]

DPost

[51fixer]

A curious observation, the aircraft slides to a halt and everyone gets off the airplane but the engines were left running for what appears to be several minutes, then after a cut in filming all four engines including #1 with bent blades are all in feather a case of 'now, what am I forgetting here?' or what....inquiring knows want to mind

After reading the ordeal they went through prior to the landing I would think they were heading for the exits as it was sliding.
The A/C commander was injured at some point. The rest probably just wanted to get out asap.
If you read the story it shows the hazards and danger on a normal misson of the time.

[Dave Smith]

The rest of the story on this one is that an RAF salvage team hauled the Sunderland two miles to the nearest beach (through six fences and over a road!) with the aim of repairing it there and refloating it. Not surprisingly, further damage was done and it was later declared beyond repair. Presumably it was made seaworthy for towing to the flying boat base at Pembroke Dock about five miles away because it became an instructional airframe for mechanic training.

[Chris Brame]

...sustained a large hole in the hull plates in the region of the toilet when taking off in a lumpy sea...

Passengers please refrain from using the lavatory until the train has left the station...

[Baldeagle]

What's the emblem under the cockpit, some kind of bird carrying a depth charge?



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