Loss of Seahawk WF160

[shed driver]

I'm looking for a bit of info if anyone has any details.

On 26th November 1954, Sub Lieutenant Norman Dudley Hadnutt (767 Squadron FAA) was piloting a Seahawk (WF160) from RNAS Stretton when he entered a dive and despite ejecting he was sadly killed. My late father was stationed at Stretton and was tasked with guarding the wreckage until it was removed. He recalled that for most of the time the local farmer was in the field and my dad and his colleague were "remote guarding" from the bar at the Saracen's Head. Weapons had to be left in the stables and muddy boots left at the door!

Norman Hadnutt's parents were Cecil W J Hadnutt and Louise D Jennings, he had one brother, William, and a twin sister, Margaret. They were from Essex, so I assume that his grave is there.

My father couldn't remember which field the crash occurred in, but maybe someone has some information? There's not much on the Aviation Safety Network webpage.
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/154148

SD.

[Simpo Two]

Not on the crash, but he went to Bishopshalt school, was a member of the 1st football team from 1951-2 and was due to marry three weeks later: http://www.appleshaw.plus.com/Bish47/table.htm

[shed driver]

Simpo Two said:

Not on the crash, but he went to Bishopshalt school, was a member of the 1st football team from 1951-2 and was due to marry three weeks later: http://www.appleshaw.plus.com/Bish47/table.htm

That's really interesting (and poignant.) I'd like to be able to visit the crash site, hopefully it's not been developed. The northern leg of HS2 would have gone through this general area and it may have not been able to actually pay my respects at the site.

SD.

[GliderRider]

You really need someone who was there at the time. A message to the local church might find its way to one of the older parishioners who could help. https://warburtonchurch.org/contact-us/

Other than that,

Woodford, to the east, has a museum: https://www.avroheritagemuseum.co.uk/

and Hooton Hall Trust, to the West: https://hootonparkhangars.co.uk/

The Professional Pilots Rumour Network has a good historical section: https://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia-...

Then there is the Royal Navy's Historical Website: https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/SQUADR...



https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/SQUADR...

[CobolMan]

Here's a link that may be of interest SD.

https://thelymmarchive.co.uk/archive/alan-taylor-collection/adverts-and-articles/1778677-1954-aircraft-crash-warburton?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

https://thelymmarchive.co.uk/archive/alan-taylor-c...

Interesting, I've driven past the crash site soo many times

[Simpo Two]

CobolMan said:

Here's a link that may be of interest SD.

https://thelymmarchive.co.uk/archive/alan-taylor-collection/adverts-and-articles/1778677-1954-aircraft-crash-warburton?

Wow, that's a good find. It may be possible to close it down enough to think of getting a metal detector...

Presume he's related to the OP?

Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 20th September 19:49

[CobolMan]

RNAS Stretton has had some development on it, I was at one of the business units there earlier this year and they had no idea they were working on an old air base.

[shed driver]

CobolMan said:

Here's a link that may be of interest SD.

https://thelymmarchive.co.uk/archive/alan-taylor-collection/adverts-and-articles/1778677-1954-aircraft-crash-warburton?

Absolutely amazing sleuthing. Looking at the picture with the Rixton brickworks chimney I may be able to roughly work out where it may be using the National Library of Scotland georeferenced map site. https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom...


SD.

[shed driver]

Didn't take long (I think!). Keeping the brickworks chimney in site and with the old church behind the photographer (as it's not in shot) then the yellow outlined field may be the site of the crash. I've contacted the Parish church and also posted on Navy Net so I might get even more info to narrow things down.



SD.