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Loose Article Check ? JJoe Roper shows John Evans, of the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust, a model of the Sunderland flying boats which he worked on at RAF Pembroke Dock. PHOTO: Martin Cavaney Photography. An RAF veteran has revealed for the first time the tale of a screwdriver which went on an unplanned operational flight in a Sunderland flying boat. For 65 years Yorkshire man Joe Roper kept the story of the flying screwdriver a personal secret, but a visit to wartime haunts at Pembroke Dock brought back many memories. Joe, now 88, was an engine fitter who spent 18 months at RAF Pembroke Dock, his duties including maintenance on the flying boats at their Haven moorings. “Locally I bought a large screwdriver which was very useful in my work. When out on the water we used to place our tools inside the engine cowling to prevent them falling as a dropped screwdriver was a lost one, “said Joe. “On this occasion I put the screwdriver in the cowling, did my work and secured the engine covers. After returning ashore I realised the screwdriver was still on the aircraft, which was going out on a patrol.” The next few hours were some of the longest in Joe’s life as he worried and waited for the Sunderland to return. Happily it did. “I was so relieved to see it return and got the marine section to take me out to the aircraft. My screwdriver was still there - but the wooden handle was burnt away. I quickly dropped the blade in the river, and it’s been there ever since. “If found out I would have been on a charge for endangering the aircraft and crew. Thankfully no-one ever did but I’ve never forgotten this.” Joe, who was accompanied by his son, Mike, spent a nostalgic day in Pembroke Dock. Visits were made to the town museum and he saw the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust’s Pegasus engine recovered from a Sunderland. “I had a great day,” added Joe. “I worked on many aircraft but the Sunderland was the best and Pembroke Dock was a wonderful station even thought it in the middle of the war.” |
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