Here’s a question that maybe our French forum members may be able to help with. While reading a book re. the First World War air battles it got me wondering if any aero-engines turn up from time to time, while the ground is worked. I know that shells and similar are dug up each year, hence my query, or were all the aircraft parts in the main retrieved? Thanks.
By: John Aeroclub - 10th December 2013 at 14:05
I seem to recall that the engine was either an early Benz or an Argus (I didn’t have the time to make a reasonable examination at the time). It thought it could be linked to a German two seater crew brought down in early 1916 who are buried in a cemetery near the old Naval 8 field of St Eloi. I think they were brought down by a Gunbus of No 11 Sqdn. I have more detail stored somewhere.
John
By: N.Wotherspoon - 9th December 2013 at 21:56
I recall many years ago a private WW1 museum in the vicinity of Notre-Dame de Lorette IIRC had a very corroded in-line WW1 engine, I seem to recall the caption said it was from an Albatross and on asking the owner where it came from he said it was found during major road works in the Arras area – my French is not good so I probably missed any detail as he was quite talkative – I commented it was an unusual find and he agreed saying what little was found of WW1 aircraft was usually in very poor condition.
By: yankeepapa - 9th December 2013 at 21:41
I’m on the wrong side of the country for 1914-18 excavations but…………….
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a flying Menhir. only a missing prop to take off
yves
By: David Burke - 9th December 2013 at 14:21
I heard they were boxed and buried in case they were needed at a future date!
By: sopwith.7f1 - 9th December 2013 at 13:24
I read somewhere that at the end of he war a lot of aero engines were dumped in a hole somewhere in France. The story could be a lot of rubbish though
There have been many tales that a lot of aircraft were burnt & their remains dumped in holes at various airfields & salvage depots in France after WW1, but no concrete evidence as yet.
Bob T.
By: Sopwith - 8th December 2013 at 11:51
Thanks.
By: avion ancien - 8th December 2013 at 11:44
Cholet Aerodrome.
By: Sopwith - 8th December 2013 at 11:32
Thanks for the replies guys, I knew about the one at Hill 62, my brother was out there in November. He said it’s inside now whereas about 15 years ago it was outside. Where was the photo of the one that you posted taken avion ancien?
By: avion ancien - 7th December 2013 at 19:33
I’m on the wrong side of the country for 1914-18 excavations but…………….
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By: paulmcmillan - 7th December 2013 at 18:24
I read somewhere that at the end of he war a lot of aero engines were dumped in a hole somewhere in France. The story could be a lot of rubbish though
By: G-ASEA - 7th December 2013 at 18:15
Their was a rotary engine in the Hill 62 museum that had been dug up. when I last went to the battlefields around 10 years ago. think i saw another engine in another museum?
Dave
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December 7, 2013 at 5:55 pm