December 5, 2001 at 4:51 pm
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-12-01 AT 05:18 PM (GMT)]Hi all… Just posted up on webshots! We were able to get the starboard wing from EB384 safely down the mountain. It is hoped we can start work on it in the Spring.
http://community.webshots.com/user/elliott1940
Cheers,
Elliott
By: Rob Nolan - 14th December 2001 at 20:55
RE: Pics from latest recovery
I recall reading about a crash site 1 mile off Formby point near Southport, problem is that was some time ago!
At the time a very early Spitfire (first mark 1?) could be seen in the Mersey at low tide – I remember seeing it myself about 20 years ago – near the old Speke airfield.
By: Halibag - 12th December 2001 at 16:00
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Hi Elliot,
Pity you missed the Hally.
I’m sure Ian at 57 RESCUE would LOVE an update & possibly pictures if you got any of the Hally.
TTFN
Halibag
By: Whitley_Project - 12th December 2001 at 15:20
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Hi Halibag
No, alas not (short daylight hrs was a big problem), BUT it seems she broke up in mid-air as a great deal of excitment was generated by wreckage a few 100m away from the Whitley, which turned out to be from your Hali! This is a good few km from the Hali crash site and is uphill, so I doubt very much it was dragged there. We’ll be back up there at some stage – it would be great to erect some sort of memorial. We’ll see how it pans out.
Elliott
By: Halibag - 11th December 2001 at 18:05
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Hi Elliot,
Did you get to the nearby Hally site whilst out in the oggin?
Halibag
By: SADSACK - 11th December 2001 at 17:30
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Not Duxford by any Chance?
By: Whitley_Project - 11th December 2001 at 12:38
RE: Pics from latest recovery
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-12-01 AT 12:41 PM (GMT)]It is planned to rebuild the Whitley using as many original parts as possible – luckily for us there are a lot of bits around. Some parts, such as the bulk of the nose and fuselage will have to be constructed from scratch as no substantial portions remain. We have accurate drwaings, but plan to make a plywood mockup of the fuselage to check dimensions beforehand.
There has been a lot of interest from various museums in the finished product, but it looks like we have found an appropriate home – space is always a problem, even with nation musuems.
By: philo - 8th December 2001 at 17:06
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Do you have Newbridge in Oxfordshire as a crash site ?. My Father always used to tell me about the day a Whitley crashed in this particular field, i dont know if was ever recovered.
By: SADSACK - 8th December 2001 at 16:36
RE: Pics from latest recovery
What are the plans for the whitley? Will it be part original and part new build? Where will it be displayed once its built?
By: Whitley_Project - 8th December 2001 at 12:42
RE: Pics from latest recovery
There are lots of rumours! Some promising ones in the sea but they will be tricky to locate – although wheels are in motion.
I heard of one Whitley that ended up in a sewerage filtration bed and is still supposed to be there!
Although we have a pretty good idea of losses & locations, if you have any details of losses – I’d be very interested to hear about them.
Cheers,
Elliott
By: Rob Nolan - 7th December 2001 at 00:27
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Do you know of any other locations that may help the project? There are plenty of rumours and anecdotal evidence
By: Whitley_Project - 6th December 2001 at 17:44
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Thanks for your kind comments. Yes, the Whitley will be rebuilt in the UK, although it is early days for us! The next stage is to make a plywood fuselage to check dimensions before frames are cut.
By: YAK11 - 5th December 2001 at 20:41
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Looks an interesting project, best of luck. Are you rebuilding her in the UK?
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th December 2001 at 17:58
RE: Pics from latest recovery
Well done! Best of luck with the project!