From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Crashed Heinkel plane and the recovery of its port engine for examination.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\3\ Scan326 | |
Date | 2nd November 1939 | |
G.32. Ryc/CFM. 2.11.39. To:- Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c to Lp.{Mr Lappin} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Lr.{Mr Ellor} Dor{Mr Dorey} Lr{Mr Ellor}/LOV{Mr Lovesey} By Lr{Mr Ellor}/Wat Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hl/EJW HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} CRASHED HEINKEL PLANE (H638/9) The port engine complete with mounting and all equipment forward of the bulkhead was despatched by lorry on Wednesday, November 1st from Haddington to Derby. The driver was told to contact HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} on arrival. The plane, a twin-engined Heinkel, fitted with inverted Junkers Jumo 211A petrol ignition engines, was shot down by Spitfires. It hit a stone wall with the undercarriage and radiator, etc. and slid over the top of a hill, flew a short distance and came to rest on heather about 125 yards from the wall. As far as could be ascertained the whole plane complete with engine was in very good condition. Both engines were free for a quarter of a prop rev. I chose the port engine for Derby because examination suggested that it had been less severely bumped than the other and further an eye-witness said that the starboard engine had stopped before the plane came to rest. Details of the engine will of course be readily available at Derby. I would recommend that when the next crash occurs, a member of both the installation and the electrical departments be sent to the scene as quickly as possible because the plane as a whole is well worth seeing. The Farnborough experts take away nearly all the equipment as quickly as they can while the R.A.F. are not likely to move the plane without damaging it very considerably. DETAILS OF PLANE: The plane, all metal, has the following in-formation painted on its tail:- | ||