v THE HERALD - OUR 29TH YEAR - 1994-2023 v 26th January 2023 • The HERALD • Page 23 CHRONICLES FROM 1914 TO 1951 In 1938 a small training aircra from RAF Hamble crashed into the Solent in view of Calshot Castle, killing the young pilot. And then just a few months later that same year, one of the stranger incidents happened. e pilot of Fairey Sword sh from RAF Lee-onSolent failed to see a shing boat in the aircra ’s path as it descended onto the water, hitting the boat’s sails. Two shermen died from their injuries. In terms of lives lost, the worst accident would occur just a er the Second World War. In February 1946 a Sunderland ying boat le RAF Calshot only to su er engine failure shortly a er take-o . e pilot decided to return to base but misjudged the rate of descent when landing on the water. e crash resulted in a re with all ten crew members killed. e aircra was ablaze for one and a half hours with the sea covered in burning oil, hampering rescue e orts. Short Sunderland crash off Calshot in November 1951 - salvaged back to RAF Calshot In December 1947, a Supermarine Sea re (the Royal Navy version of a Spit re) went into the sea when a wingtip hit the water as the pilot turned close to Calshot. e aircra broke into two pieces and the pilot was killed. And lastly, in November 1951, a Short Sunderland ying boat crashed into the Solent when landing. It reportedly struck an obstruction in the water, bounced, crashed, and immediately sank up to the wings. As the aircra began to sink, three of the ve-man crew broke open an escape hatch and were rescued. Both pilots were killed, and the wreckage hauled back to RAF Calshot. I don’t believe there have been any further fatal air crashes in the Calshot water since 1951. Hopefully that will continue to be the case. But next time you visit Calshot and look out onto the water, spare a thought for those brave airmen who saw the castle for the last time. Continued from page 22 Forest Militaria e next New Forest Militaria Fair will be on Wednesday 1st February from 7pm to 9.30pm in the Colbury Church Rooms, Deerleap Lane, Colbury (near Ashurst) SO40 7EH. ere are stalls o ering a variety of militaria items, and these events are an ideal venue for dealers, collectors and enthusiasts to get together to buy, sell, swap, exhibit and talk about all aspects of militaria. All are welcome and admission is £1. Anyone who would like to pre-book a table at £6, should call Dave Curtis on: 07903 600865 or: 023 8178 1324.
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