Some photos from last week’s holiday visit to Snowdonia, with a little then and now comparison. I’m sure several forumites have visited these sites but it’s always interesting to get another perspective.
Anson N9855 crashed above Ffynnon Lloer on the 8th November 1943 with the loss five crew, Australian, Canadian and British. The wreckage is mingled with that of a Lockheed Ventura AE688 which came flew into the face of the Carneddau range on 18th August 1943 killing it’s crew of Australians and Canadians.
I first visited in 1978, when there was a lot more left and I was a lot smaller. Never imagined I would be taking my wife there in the 21st century.
By: Arabella-Cox - 28th April 2014 at 23:08
Thanks for posting those photo’s, Ian. They bring back some good memories and poignant thoughts.
I got to know Dafydd Roberts of the Snowdonia Aviation Heritage Group and it is he who took me to the many (I seem to recall there are around a hundred), various crash sites in Snowdonia culminating in the partial excavation of the Dolwen Hill Lancaster R7295, when we extracted two of the Merlin engines.
Many of the sites were cleared of major items in the 1980’s by the Snowdonia National Park management and Dafydd and I ended up with a few of the engines including, for myself, one of the R-2800’s from the Ventura. That engine is now owned by another Forumite who posts here on crash sites from time to time.
It’s a wild and rugged wilderness where many of these crash sites are located, which mitigates somewhat in their favour though they are mostly now stripped bare. There is a variety of types, too. From ferried US aircraft, RAF medium and heavy bombers, many Ansons (ten, if I recall correctly) and lots of varied smaller types. Quite a selection of routes, mountains and aircraft.
Must try and get up there myself again, I hope the legs are up to it! I wouldn’t mind but I can see the Snowdon from the hill in front of my house so it’s not that far away.
Anon.
By: D1566 - 28th April 2014 at 22:44
Thanks for sharing your photos. I must get myself up the hills again sometime soon.
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April 28, 2014 at 9:50 pm