Hi
I found this last week whilst metal detecting in Wraxall near Bristol in Somerset.
The item is all aluminium and has light grey paint on one side and light green on the other. The bolts are 7/16″ spanner size and have the following stamped into their heads, VL 8 in a “circle”, 764/2, .24, .29. there are also traces of yelow paint on them. The nuts have been “peened” onto the bolts in three places.
There is some confusion as to the details of the particular aircraft but I think it may have been from a long range Spitfire Mk IV BS491 of 541 Sqdn from RAF Benson, Pilot P/O R Johnson (Killed) crashed 16/12/43. Mac Hawkins book “Somerset at War” states the plane crashed at Chelvey but I think this may be wrong.
The crash was researched some years ago by the South West Aircraft Recovery Group. I understand that they thought that they had located the crash site but don’t know if they found any parts for the aircraft. I seem to remember hearing that they only found a patch of oil.
Any further info or help would be most appreciated.
Cheers,
Jon
By: paulmcmillan - 30th September 2005 at 15:50
All you need now is the dataplate, probably £1,000,000 plus, 3 or 4 years and you will have a flyer!
By: Bruce - 30th September 2005 at 15:10
Looks like a piece of one of the leading edge ribs
By: Rocketeer - 30th September 2005 at 14:42
Thanks Ross,
Very interesting
I suppose I missed the most important question, could the item I found be from a Spifire?
Regards,
Jon
Yes, the stainless bolts and peening were Spit type manufacturing processes (and other aircraft)…the yellow paint is most probably jointing compound
By: Jon Hill - 30th September 2005 at 14:11
Thanks Ross,
Very interesting
I suppose I missed the most important question, could the item I found be from a Spifire?
Regards,
Jon
By: Ross_McNeill - 30th September 2005 at 13:33
Hi Jon,
Now I see the reason for your other question.
From the Draft RAF Coastal Command Losses Vol. 2
16/12/43
541 Sqn
Spitfire IV
BS491
F/L R P Johnson, 67059, +
Op: PR, RAF North Front, Time up 09:45 hrs
Took for a flight from Gibraltar. Plotted over Plymouth at 20,000 feet, 14:00 hrs. At 14:15 hrs the Spitfire dived into ground at Wraxall Somerset. F/L Johnson was thought to have baled out due to bad visibility and radio failure but struck the aircraft and failed to open his parachute. The body of the pilot was found over one mile from the crash scene and now rests in St.Mary Churchyard, Addington, Surrey.
Regards
Ross
Sign In
September 30, 2005 at 12:41 pm