Model of Hawker Hunter aircraft involved in Shoreham Airshow crash 2015
Name/Title
Court exhibit model of Hawker Hunter aircraft involved in Shoreham Airshow crash in 2015 c2018
Entry/Object ID
2192
Description
Scale model of Hawker Hunter jet aircraft on a white base, with RAF markings, painted in grey and green camouflage.
Use
Used as an exhibit at a trial at the Old Bailey
Context
On 22nd August 2015 a jet of this type crashed at the Shoreham Airshow in West Sussex killing 11 people and injuring 16 others. Investigations into the cause of the crash were carried out by both Sussex Police and the Air Accident Investigation Branch. The police enquiry was given the name Operation Bowdell. In March 2018, Andy Hill the pilot of the aircraft, who survived the crash, was charged with 11 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence and one of endangering an aircraft.
The subsequent trial was held at the Old Bailey in January and March 2019 and the accused Andy Hill was acquitted of all charges.
This model was made for Sussex Police for use during the trial to illustrate to the jury, the type of aircraft involved. It was also used by a number of expert witnesses to help demonstrate aspects of the type of manoeuvres the actual plane was involved in at the time of the crash. As well as being a scale model of the Hunter aircraft it also replicates the markings and paint on the actual plane that crashed.
