and turnaround since these Gannets could only carry 6 rockets. As naval use declined, it was also made available to the RAF and Shackleton squadrons from the base at RAF St Eval used it for air-to-ground firing at tanks fitted with recording equipment. But with the withdrawal of lying units from RNAS St Merryn in 1954 and changes made to Shackletons during 1955, the range was closed at the end of that year and quickly reverted to farmland. Emergency landing of a B-17 Flying Fortress On 16 September 1943 an American B-17 Flying Fortress was forced to make an emergency landing at HMS Vulture II. The pilot, Capt Jack Omohundro had ignored a red flare warning him to keep clear. The plane was chronically short of fuel and running on three engines after a raid on U-boat pens at Nantes in France. The bomber had left its formation to try to preserve what little fuel it had left. Spotting the tiny Treligga airstrip, he skillfully landed 'wheels-down' just short of the Wrens quarters. When the Americans stepped out of their aircraft they were amazed to find HMS Vulture II entirely in the hands of Wrens. After a meal and a nights sleep, the B-17 had to be stripped down for a successful take-off out over the sea a skeleton crew then flew the B-17 to RAF coastal command station at RAF St Eval for full refuelling and a safety check. Crashes There have been a number of air crashes whilst the range was in use. One occurred when a Seafire crashed into the railway embankment near Barton Farm at 2.00 pm on Thursday 1 November 1951. The pilot was killed. There have been other crashes near Barton Farm including a C-47 Skytrain carrying South African soldiers which was attempting a landing on one of the large fields to the north east of the farm. Other crashes include a Swordfish in Trebarwith Valley with three fatalities, a further Swordfish at sea and possibly a Blenheim near Tregonnick Farm. HMS Vulture II today Both the observation/control tower and the reinforced hut near the sea (towards Backways Cove) are derelict but still standing as are the accommodation and service huts near Treligga village. All are in remarkably good structural condition considering their age and exposed position. References The Western Morning News 13 September 2006 pages 28–29 External links Some photographs of what HMS