Mersea fishermen often had damaged nets from a 'fast' in the River, and eventually Mike Lungley persuaded divers to go down, see what was there, and to try and salvage it. A barge was used as a base and a number of divers were involved.
The wreck of the aircraft contained live ammunition, which was subsequently disposed of by the Military. The wreckage was brought ashore on the mud at the back of the Nass. Much of it soon deterioriated. Some bits were taken to East Essex Aviation Society Museum and Point Clear and some have found a resting place in homes on Mersea Island.
Typhoon R8895 had been forced to ditch on 22 March 1944 when the engine over-revved on take-off from RAF Bradwell Bay. The pilot, Flt Sgt R.W. Pottinger was rescued, taken to the Naval Hospital in Brightlingsea, but returned to the Squadron next day.
The colour photographs were originally taken on Brian Jay's camera.
There was an article on the Typhoon in the Regatta Programme 2005 - see REG_2005_TYP .
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