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Recovered Spitfire Merlin for Manston

The deeply buried Merlin XII engine (18 ft deep) of Spitfire II, P7386, was recovered by yours-truly and team on Tuesday 4 October 2011 from Sandwich, Kent. The pilot, Plt Off Armstrong of 74 Squadron, baled out safely after an engagement with Ju 87s and Me 109s on 14 November 1940.

The recovered engine is due to go to the Manston museum once it has been ‘released’ by the MOD.

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By: Arabella-Cox - 4th February 2013 at 13:11

Thanks Andy. Hopefully it’s still in their possession.

Regards

Simon

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By: Arabella-Cox - 4th February 2013 at 12:38

No, but having said that I am in touch with the family and I will ask about the Logbook…though I have a sneaking suspicion they don’t have it!

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By: Arabella-Cox - 4th February 2013 at 11:09

Apologies for dragging up an old thread, but has it been established what code letter this Spitfire carried at the time?

Regards

Simon

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By: Arabella-Cox - 14th October 2011 at 09:03

As ever, your research is spot-on Paul.

The MU contractors only left the engine, but we knew that before we dug!

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By: paulmcmillan - 13th October 2011 at 20:54

Unfortuately I think the dataplate was recovered back in 1940… the engine being to far down

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By: David Burke - 13th October 2011 at 18:52

On the British register yet?

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By: spit1940 - 13th October 2011 at 18:24

Am afraid you’ll have to wait….

Look out in “Britain at War” after Christmas and sometime in to New Year, as well as coverage elsewhere. My hands are tied as regards to further information at this time. Sorry to be a tease!

Well done andy,any more recoveries planned for the future?

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By: PanzerJohn - 13th October 2011 at 14:53

ooooohhhh you are awful!

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By: Arabella-Cox - 13th October 2011 at 13:12

Am afraid you’ll have to wait….

Look out in “Britain at War” after Christmas and sometime in to New Year, as well as coverage elsewhere. My hands are tied as regards to further information at this time. Sorry to be a tease!

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By: Arabella-Cox - 13th October 2011 at 12:29

Interesting news. Any photos of the engine?

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