Grumman Wildcat Mk.V JV404 of No.898 Naval Air Sqn, Royal Navy, crashed on Bennan near Newton Stewart on the 11th September 1945

Grumman Wildcat

 

Thomas Alexander Oliphant Sub Lieutenant (A) RNVR Pilot Killed

 

On the 11th September 1945 a number of Grumman Wildcats set out from HMS Blackcap at Stretton in Cheshire on a ferry flight to HMS Wagtail at Ayr. During that flight the Canadian pilot of one aircraft strayed into the high ground of the Galloway hills north of Newton Stewart, his aircraft crashed on Bennan above Glen Trool where it lay until being discovered the following day. His body was recovered by personnel from No.1 (O)AFU at Wigtown and was buried on the 15th September at Newton Stewart Cemetery. Subsequently he was, at his mother’s request, reintered at Elgin New Cemetery in Moray.

Undercarriage parts at the crash site of Wildcat JV404 on Bennan near Glen Trool, Dumfries & Galloway
Wreckage from the aircraft is scattered over a small area, among the items are both undercarriage oleos and their distinctive retraction / extension mechanism.
Armoured bulkhead at the crash site of Grumman Wildcat JV404 on Bennan, Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway
Another distinctive item from a Wildcat is the armoured bulkhead from behind the cockpit, the armour plate from behind the seat is lying on the ground.
Wreckage at the crash site of Grumman Wildcat JV404 on Bennan, Glen Trool, Dumfries & Galloway
A few pieces from the aircraft’s wings remain, this is the largest of them.
Tail from Grumman Wildcat JV404 on Bennan, Glen Trool, Dumfries & Galloway
This is the remains of the aircraft’s tail, with only the spar from the fin and starboard tailplane remaining.
Wreckage at the crash site of Grumman Wildcat JV404 on Bennan, Glen Trool, Dumfries & Galloway
A second smaller section of wing with part of the upper attachment for the undercarriage still fixed to it is the final large item at the crash site.

 

Grave of Sub Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Oliphant, Royal Navy, killed in Grumman Wildcat JV404
Sub Lieutenant Oliphant’s grave at Elgin Cemetery in Northern Scotland. He is buried in a grave adjacent to members of his extended family.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone for Sub Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Oliphant at Elgin New Cemetery, Moray, Scotland
A closer photograph of his CWGC headstone.