Mon, Oct 06, 2003
Three Former SAR Pilots On Board
During World War Two,
Bernard Maslin. Arthur Record and Dennis Stanley (right) devoted
their lives to rescuing fighter, bomber and freighter crews off the
coast of England. Saturday morning, the seasoned veterans were
themselves rescued when their Cessna 172 ditched off the Isle of
Scilly. Maslin, 79, is still hospitalized. Record and Stanley, both
82, were treated and released. Medical officials say Maslin will
"be okay."
The BBC reports all three men are members of the Fleet Air Arm
Squadron (FAAS) which meets once a month to go flying. Their Cessna
was one of nine which took off from Land's End for a day out in the
Isles of Scilly. The three men had earlier flown to Land's End from
Gloucestershire.
The flying veterans were forced to ditch when their engine cut
out at about 2,000 feet, six or seven miles from the islands
(right). Engine out, they glided toward a fishing boat, the Semper
Allegro, whose crew pulled them from the water. All three were
airlifted by Royal Navy helicopter to a hospital at the Royal Naval
Air Station in Culdrose. Maslin apparently swallowed a great deal
of seawater when his Cessna went into the drink. That's why he was
kept for observation, hospital officials said. But a hospital
spokesman said of his condition: "He had had his breakfast this
morning and was very cheerful."
FAAS Squadron Leader
Michael Bonham-Couzens said both Record and Stanley showed up for a
dinner at the Land's End Hotel Saturday night after they were
released from hospital.
"Mr. Record did not have a scratch, but Mr. Stanley had his
fingers heavily bandaged. They were both in sparkling form at the
dinner and we were delighted to have them back in the fold of the
squadron."
The Air Accident Investigation Branch is looking into what
caused the Cessna's engine to fail as it flew towards St
Mary's.
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