WW2 Sunderland Flying Boat nicknamed the "Flying Porcupine" was shot at by 8 German fighter planes and the brave crew manage to leave the fight and crashed on here on Praa Sands on 2nd June 1943 killing 1 of the crew. Locals took the crew into their homes for shelter. Please see below more information in video and text. Although the Spitfire, Lancaster and the Harrier were iconic planes this plane's capabilities were very much underestimated in the war, please take a look at the memorial
The Mk5 flying boat sprouted 18 guns, the greatest number carried by any regular British military aircraft during the war. It boasted a toilet and a galley with a cooker and a chart table for the long 10 to 12 hour patrols. It carried Depth Charges, Bombs and Dinghy to rescue downed airman.
There are some photos of the Crash site on the bureau of aircraft accident archives https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-short-s25-sunderland-iii-praa-sands-1-killed
There is some good technical information on the Sunderland on https://uboat.net/allies/aircraft/sunderland.htm
and this tells more about the crew and their bravery against the odds. https://aircrewremembered.com/walker-colin.html
Please email to us any Story's photo's or information on Praa Sands - we would be very grateful.
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