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'I remember seeing US fighter plane crash in 1945'

Laura FosterBBC News, East of England, Clacton-on-Sea
John Fairhall/BBC Albert Scott is clean shaven and is wearing a white collared short sleeved shirt. He is leaning on the grey wreck of a Mustang fighter aircraft inside a museum. Out of focus in the background are some pictures hanging on a white wall.John Fairhall/BBC
Albert Scott was 13 when he saw a Mustang fighter crash near Clacton

A man who saw a fighter plane crash off the coast during World War Two says it is "beautiful" that an aircraft of the same type will fly at the Clacton Airshow.

This year's display marks 80 years since the Mustang known as Little Zippie plunged into the sea near the town.

The pilot, an American named Raymond King, died from the freezing temperatures and was later awarded the Purple Heart.

Albert Scott, 93, who witnessed the crash, says seeing a Mustang fighter fly will remind people of the valuable role they played in the 1939-45 conflict.

East Essex Aviation Museum An artist's impression of a Mustang fighter jet. On the body, there are the characters 9B C around the USAF logo, and towards the nose it says "Little Zippie"East Essex Aviation Museum
Little Zippie was one of 12 P-51 Mustangs in the 479th Fighter Group based at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk

The role played by long-range P-51 Mustang fighters in the war was invaluable.

The aircraft was a high-performance, high-altitude, long-range fighter that could escort heavy bomber formations all the way to Berlin and back.

It is also estimated that nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft were destroyed by Mustang fighters, both on the ground and in the air during the conflict.

On 13 January 1945, Flight Officer King was flying Little Zippy on a mission over Europe.

On the way back to Wattisham airbase in Suffolk, he experienced engine failure and the aircraft plunged into the sea 800 yards off the coast.

He was rescued but the freezing temperatures of the water meant he died of hypothermia.

East Essex Aviation Museum Raymond King is wearing a beige flight suit, flying goggles and a flying cap. He is smiling ear to ear and standing in front of the wing of a planeEast Essex Aviation Museum
Following his death, the pilot Raymond King was awarded the Purple Heart for his contributions during the war

Mr Scott, who was 13 at the time, says he will never forget seeing the accident.

He went on to join the Royal Air Force and traced the US pilot's family.

He remains friends with Flight Officer King's relatives to this day, even visiting them in the US twice.

"It is nice to be in touch with the relatives of the man who really earned [the Purple Heart]," he said.

East Essex Aviation Museum An old photograph shows people gazing over the side of a wire fence on a boat as the wreck of an aircraft is pulled from the water by cables.East Essex Aviation Museum
Little Zippie laid on the seabed until 1987 when it was pulled up

This year's Clacton Airshow is marking 80 years since the end of the war, and that accident at sea.

Alongside the Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a different Mustang, similar to Little Zippie, will fly overheard in tribute.

Mr Scott said the noise it will make is similar to that of a Spitfire.

"It can raise the hairs on the back of people's necks," he said.

"Seeing these old prop jobs [is] beautiful."

However, Mr Scott said that he would not be able to attend this year's airshow for family reasons.

John Fairhall/BBC An aircraft wreck with twisted faded metal is on display in a museum. Behind Little Zippie, the American flag is flying and there are railings preventing people from touching the exhibit.John Fairhall/BBC
The wreckage of Little Zippie is on display at East Essex Aviation Museum

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