History[]
The second prototype Javelin, WD808 flew in August 1952 but then stayed on the ground until January 1953. Tests throughout the first half of the year resulted in a number of changes to the design, including a cranked wing and beefed-up fuselage, fin and control surfaces.[1]
On 11 June 1953, WD808 suffered a fatal crash after experiencing a 'super-stall'. At high angles of attack the elevators were masked from the airflow by the wings and became ineffective, from which point recovery was impossible. The pilot, Lt Peter G. Lawrence MBE RN, delayed his ejection too long in order to ensure that the aircraft would land on open ground, near Ashton Court Park, Long Ashton, nr. Bristol, Somerset, sadly his parachute was unable to open in time.
According to school teacher Harry Dunnicliffe, who saw the plane approaching, it appeared that the pilot was struggling to keep the plane air born so as to avoid crashing onto the school cricket pitches and killing scores of boys. In his opinion the pilot sacrificed his life for pupils of the school. [2]