A long shot - Spitfire crash in Cardiff

[greg]

A bit of a long shot, because I have so little information, but on the off-chance it rings a bell with someone....

I've been talking to a local chap here in Cardiff who has told me of local folklore regarding a Spitfire that crashed into mudflats while trying to land at RAF Pengam Moors in WW2, apparently in fog. I know there's next to nothing to go on, and I've tried Google, but does this ring any bells with anyone who can give me any more details?

TIA,

Greg

[RecklessRat]

G'day Greg,

A wild stab in the dark here, but a combination of Google and http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/home.html throws up no results for 'Pengam'. 'Cardiff', however, returns 2 results:-

Serial: P9454

Mk: Ia

Construction no.: 617

Factory: EA

Engine: MIII

History: FF 6-4-40 8MU 8-4-40 92S 4-6-40 engine failed force-landed in bog nr Cardiff P/O Bartley safe 5-7-40 1CRU 65S 26-8-40 shot down over Tilehurst Sussex aircraft abandoned dbf 1-12-40

Although it sounds like this one was recovered and repaired.

Much later, however, is:

Serial: SP146

Mk: Seafire III

Construction No.:

Factory: COA

Engine: GVI

History: RNDA 21-4-45 33MU 22-4-45 To Cardiff overshot landing Cat B 2-7-45 (F/Lt G Lockley RAF injured)

Some potential starting points, anyway. I suspect that the true answer is that it was another aircraft type entirely which, through the magic of folklore, became a 'Spitfire'.

Good luck with your search.

[greg]

Hi RecklessRat,

Many thanks for the reply and the "gen". I agree with your suggestion that folklore does tend to morph many different aircraft types into another!! For many years there was a Halifax parked at Pengam Moors, until well into the 60s I believe, long after flying had ceased from there. The Halifax had previously been used for training RAF fire crews. Even now this is often reported as a Lancaster, even in the local media where it crops up occasionally!!

I'm going to start with the first of your suggestions as I have no provenance that the aircraft wasn't recovered, and knowing the muddy banks of the River Rhymney alongside the former Pengam Moors as well as I do, I suspect it could have been misreported as a bog.

Thanks again, I appreciate your input :)

L/O

Greg