does anyone remember the Red Arrows plane crashing into the sea off Brighton?

Publius Ovidius

Well-known member

Jul 5, 2003

46,044

at home

• Apr 19, 2007

• #1

back in the late 70's.

It was straight in front of us.

He was flying low and I think caught a mast of a yatch between the Piers and he ejected out and landed in the sea and the plane bellyflopped into the sea.

 

Nibble

New member

Jan 3, 2007

19,238

• Apr 19, 2007

• #2

Think I read this post before but no, never seen footage either. Aren't they tring to disband the Red Arrows?

 

E

Exmouth Seagull

New member

Sep 11, 2003

601

Location: Location:

• Apr 19, 2007

• #3

Yes, I was there, it happened in a flash. Was dead lucky it didnt hit the Pier or the seafront, which were both absolutely packed. I was only about 12, went to watch with a friend from school called Edric, must have been late 70's. I think the pilot ejected just in time and was uninjured. Did they lift the jet out of the sea, or is it still under there?

 

Ernest

Stupid IDIOT

Nov 8, 2003

42,739

LOONEY BIN

• Apr 19, 2007

• #4

I was the pilot

 

Gazwag

5 millionth post poster

Mar 4, 2004

30,151

Bexhill-on-Sea

• Apr 19, 2007

• #5

Ernest said:

I was the pilot

Click to expand...

No change there then











Oh pilot, sorry thought you said pillock

 

Heffle Gull

JCL since 1979

Feb 5, 2004

873

Heathfield

• Apr 19, 2007

• #6

Yep remember it well.

We just happened to be driving thru Brighton for some reason and stooped at the filling station that used to be on Marine Parade, just along from the pier when the crash happened.

we had a really good view of it.

 

L

London Calling

New member

Jul 10, 2003

7,223

"When the rich gather to discuss the poor, it is c

• Apr 19, 2007

• #7

Yep, didn't Southern News have the footage.

LC

 

Heffle Gull

JCL since 1979

Feb 5, 2004

873

Heathfield

• Apr 19, 2007

• #8

According to this site it was 17 May 1980.

There is also a picture of the pilot ejecting, whilst the plane is upside down

Crash bang wallop

 

WATFORD zero

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Jul 10, 2003

25,865

• Apr 19, 2007

• #9

I remember it. I was lying in bed with the windows open in a flat just off the seafront on a hot afternoon and heard a huge bang. I turned on the radio and the local radio (was it SCR back then ?) was reporting on it.

 

surrey jim

Not in Surrey

Aug 2, 2005

18,095

Bevendean

• Apr 19, 2007

• #10

Ernest said:

I was the pilot

Click to expand...

needed a tried and tested pilot then??

 

B

bailey

New member

Sep 24, 2005

1,201

Seafront Brighton

• Apr 19, 2007

• #11

Exmouth Seagull said:

Did they lift the jet out of the sea, or is it still under there?

Click to expand...

They must have lifted it, would be a very popular local dive site otherwise! If they can they always salvage this kind of thing very quickly.

 

surrey jim

Not in Surrey

Aug 2, 2005

18,095

Bevendean

• Apr 19, 2007

• #12

Heffle Gull said:

According to this site it was 17 May 1980.

There is also a picture of the pilot ejecting, whilst the plane is upside down

Crash bang wallop

Click to expand...

 

C

Col P

New member

Feb 13, 2006

244

• Apr 19, 2007

• #13

sitting on the beach at the time very exciting to watch if I remember the plane pulled up at the last min to just miss a boat and only then did the pilot get out very brave

 

Y

Yorkie

Sussex born and bred

Jul 5, 2003

32,367

dahn sarf

• Apr 19, 2007

• #14

http://www.northstandchat.biz/showthread.php?threadid=85670&highlight=arrows

 

Lord Bracknell

On fire

Jul 5, 2003

39,499

104 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair

• Apr 19, 2007

• #15

 

Publius Ovidius

Well-known member

Jul 5, 2003

46,044

at home

• Apr 19, 2007

• Thread starter
• #16

Yorkie said:

http://www.northstandchat.biz/showthread.php?threadid=85670&highlight=arrows

Click to expand...

thakyou for pointing that out

 

Y

Yorkie

Sussex born and bred

Jul 5, 2003

32,367

dahn sarf

• Apr 19, 2007

• #17

Dave the Gaffer said:

thakyou for pointing that out

Click to expand...

Why the rolling eyes? I didn't say fixtures but thought the info on the other thread might be helpful.

 

D

Deleted User X18H

Guest

• Apr 19, 2007

• #18

it was 17th May 1980 my mum took to great photosof seconds after the impact of the yacht mast she sent them to Steve Johnson the unlucky pilot after he appealed for anyone who had taken any to send them in he returned them with a autograph photo a nice letter and the Red Arrows official handbook again signed. I remember watching the plane crash in to the sea we were on the beach in between the piers a every one stood gasped and then utter silence broken my the remining eight planes flying in formation overhead and curtaling the show.

 

Last edited: Apr 19, 2007

Horton's halftime iceberg

Blooming Marvellous

Jan 9, 2005

16,484

Brighton

• Apr 19, 2007

• #19

I was between the piers, happened real quick, did'nt realise at the time it had hit a boat. Seem to remember that they were doing that fly at each other and that spin away thing. Memories of rushing along to crash (sea) site.

Do you remember at the goldstone when they would fly over real low sometimes. I think it was a Bradford game when one let its blue smoke out as it passed over the game, always thought the away fans must have thought it happens every week.

 

W

wigman

Well-known member

Oct 10, 2006

4,735

East Preston

• Apr 19, 2007

• #20

i had a work mate who was in a boat and he said he was only yards from the incident.that used to be his claim to fame (sad bloke)