Emergency Landing in Portugal

[SimonTasker]

Hi

I am trying to research a story of an emergency landing made by a 1 PRU pilot attached to Coastal command on 7th May 1943

The pilot Sgt Graham Alan Rich (later stunt pilot for movies such as Blue Max and Mosquito Squadron - service no 1315748), took off from Portreath at about 0700 hours on route to Gibraltar.

He developed fuel system issues and force landed on the beach near Aveiro , Portugal.

He was interned in a hotel i Elvas until the 21st of June when he was repatriated to Lisbon

I am trying to find out as much as possible about the RAF carrier of Graham ‘Taffy’ Rich, which i think lasted into the 1950’s and also some details about this event - what was the plane ? What was the purpose of the flight, Were there any crew members ? What happened to the plane etc

Its for a book i am writing about a rather interesting car i own - Taffy owned it for a while until his impending marriage forced him to sell it !

any advice of information very gratefully received

many thanks

simon

[JohnE]

He was ferrying a Spitfire PR XI from Portreath to Gibraltar. According to the book "RAF Benson" it happened on the 5th. No serial unfortunately.


He later flew with 1402 Flight from October 1943 and posted to 1 PDC at end of tour in May 1945.

John Engelsted

[Argus]

He was ferrying a Spitfire PR XI from Portreath to Gibraltar. According to the book "RAF Benson" it happened on the 5th. No serial unfortunately.


He later flew with 1402 Flight from October 1943 and posted to 1 PDC at end of tour in May 1945.

John Engelsted

According the website and book "Aterrem em Portugal" by Carlos Ruerreiro, the serial is EN419. Same in Spitfire registry.

Regards

Finn Buch