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Wed, Jan 07 2004, 0:55:28 [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2] ]

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Date Posted: 3/03/04 9:08:02
Author: John Cooper
Subject: Re: Hastings TG579
In reply to: John Cooper 's message, "Hastings TG579" on 7/01/04 9:04:58

I have had some communication back from the leader of the RAFSAA 'Poseidon Feenun', the dive team did not have time or the resources to check on a wrecked Hastings, there appears to be two wrecks thus:



Thank you for your response, interesting that you mention another wreck in the lagoon near Gan as I was at an Aviation meeting lecture on the diving of aircraft wrecks at home and abroad three weeks ago tonight just as you were sailing north from Addu Lagoon. The speaker had been diving in the Maldives and brought my name up saying that fishermen had snagged their nets on a 'transport aircraft' in the lagoon, I knew this could not possibly be the Hastings that I was on that crashed 1.5 nm east of the runway line. That was TG579. but............

.......... Hastings TG580 same squadron, 48, consecutive index numbers pranged at Gan on July 3rd 1959, 8 months before TG579, making an approach in a crosswind exceeding 23 knots, this was ne'er possible to achieve and 580 ground looped with one oleo leg overtaking the skidding Hastings down the runway, with bods diving for cover! Fortunately all aboard survived this mishap, I have three photos of this prang and an eye witness passenger who was on board.

The aircraft (580) was stripped of all salvageable material, including engines, it is unknown whether the wings were removed but I do know that 580 was put onto barges and sank at sea, where I have no idea, this could well explain the orators response at the aviation meeting re the snagging of fishermens nets. I also know that a factory fishing vessel from Japan or Russia, I am not quite sure which nation, trawls the Addu lagoon frequently, this is an export so presumably earns the Maldivians some hard earned cash but the Addu islanders do not agree with this method of fishing. One assumes that these nets could easily foul on a wreck such as an aircraft fin in relatively shallow waters, I do know that the rudder was removed from 580 as it sat in the 180 crewroom with the section bods signatures on.

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[> [> Re: Hastings TG579 -- John Cooper, 21/04/04 21:07:27

I have made contact today with SAC Ginge/Ron Tucker an Airframe Mechanic from RAF Katunayake who was also a survivor of TG579 Hastings that plunged into the sea on March 1st 1960, welcome to terra firma Ginge Oggin' Troggin' was really for the boys on Gan and not us landlubbers!


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[> [> [> Re: Hastings TG579 -- Len McNab, 3/08/04 14:31:13

I ran the Transit Lounge Bar on Gan and that night I was also in the cinema when the call out came, we were all told to report to our workplace "in case". I remember the C.O. came into the bar and asked what I was doing?? I said " giving everyone a drink,sir" and he said good I will pay. I then told him The Corporals Club was already doing that, good show he said and left.
I do remember that no one had any of their kit as it had been lost with the aircraft so we had to get all the usual kit for washing and drying.
In all it was a bit of a hectic night and good to find others remember it better than I do.
It is a nice read thank you, Len McNab


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