Fairey Albacore Mk.I BF592 of No.871 Sqn, RN, crashed above the cliffs at Rackwick on Mel Fea on the Isle of Hoy, Orkney, on the 26th June 1942

 

James Leggat Sub Lieutenant Pilot Killed

 

The aircraft was flying to RNAS Hatson near Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney, from Evanton on the Cromarty Firth near Inverness on the Scottish mainland. The aircraft was to have been delivered to 817 Naval Air Squadron.

Alan stood with the Bristol Taurus engine from Fairey Albacore BF592 on Mel Fae, Rackwick, Isle of Hoy
Alan stood next to the Bristol Taurus Mk.XII engine from the aircraft with Rackwick bay in the background.
Bristol Taurus engine from Fairey Albacore BF592 at the crash site on Mel Fae, Rackwick, Isle of Hoy
Another shot of the engine, this time a weary looking Alf is stood next to it.
Wreckage at the crash site of Fairey Albacore BF592 on Mel Fae, Rackwick, Isle of Hoy
While similar to the first photo this one shows more of the crash site, pieces of the wings can be found at the crash site along with both undercarriage legs and other parts. Parts were recovered from this aircraft to allow the restoration of N4389 at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
Wreckage at the crash site of Fairey Albacore BF592 on Mel Fae, Rackwick, Isle of Hoy
Above are both of the undercarriage oleos.
Wreckage at the crash site of Fairey Albacore BF592 on Mel Fae, Rackwick, Isle of Hoy
Above is a second photograph of the wings, as can be seen one has lost most of its structure while the other is in slightly better condition.