Hi all,
I’m sharing the following information regarding a Spitfire that is being extracted from the sand and the mud, in Sallenelles, Normandy, France.
Here is the original article found in the newspaper Ouest-France dated Wednesday 3 November 2010:
“Un avion anglais abattu par des tirs allemands sera renfloué vendredi. Englué dans la vase, à Sallenelles, il gît là depuis plus de 60 ans. « À marée basse, il est possible de voir les roues de cet avion », confirme Alain Toullet, chef du port de Franceville. Seuls les riverains connaissent cette histoire. Les caméras de France 3, pour l’émission Thalassa, seront sur place vendredi pour filmer le renflouage.”
Here is my translation:
“A British aircraft shot down by German Flak will be extracted from the mud on Friday. Bogged down in the mud in Sallenelles, it has been lying there for more than 60 years. ‘At low tide, you can see the wheels of this aircraft’, says Alain Toullet, responsible for the port of Franceville. Only the residents living near the beach know the story. The cameras of France 3 [French TV] will attend the operation for the TV programme ‘Thalassa’ [a famous programme with reports regarding the sea in general].”
Here comes the next article, from Ouest-France dated Friday 5 November 2010:
“Un Spitfire, qui repose dans la vase de la baie de Salenelles depuis 66 ans, devait être sorti de l’eau vendredi matin. Mais la marée en a décidé autrement. Poussé par le fort coefficient du matin, l’avion britannique, qui avait été sanglé la veille et relié à des flotteurs en surface, a été repoussé au moins deux miles à l’ouest. Les gens chargés de le récupérer l’ont retrouvé dans l’Orne, à environ quatre mètres de profondeur. Compte tenu de ces nouvelles conditions de récupération, l’opération a été contrariée et remise à samedi, à 10 h 30.”
Translation:
“A Spitfire, lying in the mud of the bay of Sallenelles for 66 years, should have got out of the water this morning. But the tide has changed the course of events. Because of the high tide, the British aircraft, which had been strapped up yesterday and connected to some surface floats, was pushed away two miles west of its original location. The people in charge of extracting the aircraft found it in the Orne River, about 4 meters deep. Considering the new conditions, the operation has been postponed to Saturday, 10:00 a.m.”
I will keep you informed of the next events!
Fox.
By: Sopwith - 19th November 2010 at 18:57
Interesting post re. the data-plate Mark,what you say makes complete sense to me.Thanks.
By: Mark12 - 19th November 2010 at 03:50
Mark, are you saying that the entire package of wreckage could be sold for a good price because it includes the data plate, or that in aviation-archaeology terms the wreck is more significant–regardless of the monetary value–because of the presence of the plate?
As a clean and washed artefact, as is, and on display in a local museum as a D-day relic, the data plate has academic interest.
As a potential starter kit for a rebuild to flying condition in the UK, the details on the data plate, that is the CBAF construction number of the fuselage, would tick the appropriate box on the submission to the CAA for initial registration, and smooth its path.
If the plate became seperated from the wreckage and in to the hands of a third party, clearly the provenance trail to the RAF serial would still lie with the wreck. Some might not agree. 🙂
Mark
By: Stepwilk - 19th November 2010 at 03:14
Mark, are you saying that the entire package of wreckage could be sold for a good price because it includes the data plate, or that in aviation-archaeology terms the wreck is more significant–regardless of the monetary value–because of the presence of the plate?
By: Mark12 - 19th November 2010 at 01:04
IF the French couple do have the legible dataplate from this aircraft, what would it be worth on the open market to a serious restorer/replicator?
It would be worth what a willing purchasers was prepared to pay from a willing seller.
To sell or part with the cockpit plate aside from the wreckage would not be a smart move as in this well publicised event the provenance clearly remains with the wreckage rather than ‘a plate’.
Mark.
By: Stepwilk - 19th November 2010 at 00:28
IF the French couple do have the legible dataplate from this aircraft, what would it be worth on the open market to a serious restorer/replicator?
By: Mark12 - 18th November 2010 at 23:53
The RAF serial number will not have come form the manufacturer’s data plates, cockpit or firewall…because they do not stamp it on there.
I would suggest the RAF serial number came from the research that included a study of the Operational Records Book.
Mark
By: spitfireman - 18th November 2010 at 22:11
If they have the dataplate it is very likely that it WILL be at Legends – eventually. Sorry couldn’t resist that one
Groan :rolleyes:
By: jbs - 18th November 2010 at 22:06
Yes, I understand that part of the serial number had already been posted. I’m just saying this information is from somebody who essentially, literally has the dataplate in their hand. Consider it confirmation. (The original serial-number poster, by the way, seemed to be not entirely sure whether his number matched that of the aircraft recovered. Now he knows.)
Please don’t take offense, I did not post my reply to antagonise. I was merely pointing out that the serial number had already been mentioned (in post #31) and subsequently confirmed (in post #32). Also if you look at the news video reports closely you will see a glimpse of the crash report which also shows the RAF serial number MJ789.
Please accept my thanks for posting this further confirmation from the ‘horses mouth’
Best regards,
John
By: WJ244 - 18th November 2010 at 21:54
If they have the dataplate it is very likely that it WILL be at Legends – eventually. Sorry couldn’t resist that one
By: Stepwilk - 18th November 2010 at 18:25
Yes, I understand that part of the serial number had already been posted. I’m just saying this information is from somebody who essentially, literally has the dataplate in their hand. Consider it confirmation. (The original serial-number poster, by the way, seemed to be not entirely sure whether his number matched that of the aircraft recovered. Now he knows.)
By: jbs - 18th November 2010 at 14:47
See post #31 above
By: Stepwilk - 18th November 2010 at 14:26
Just heard from Brigitte Corbin, who was involved in the recovery.
s/n is LF IXB MJ789. Mark IXB, obviously.
By: spitfireman - 8th November 2010 at 11:34
You’ve turned something ‘tiresome’ into amusing:D
made me laugh!
thanks James D.
Baz
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th November 2010 at 11:25
That will be the cave which has all those complete 109G’s and 262s sealed up inside…..
By: Sky High - 8th November 2010 at 11:25
Just wait….:D
Your signature says it all………………:D
By: DCK - 8th November 2010 at 11:25
__________________
Have YOU used the “Will it be at Legends” joke yet today?
LOL. Yes, I used it yesterday. I have only used it 3 times the past year (and I never add the cliched “I’ll get my coat” when I do them) 😀
By: James D - 8th November 2010 at 11:19
Just as fun now as ever before. :diablo:
There´s probably a cave somewhere with this joke painted on the wall.:p
By: James D - 8th November 2010 at 11:19
Ah – got it now. And, as it’s my first time, it’s rather good.;):)
Just wait….:D
By: DCK - 8th November 2010 at 11:17
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
That just never gets old does it.:rolleyes:
Glad to see this recovered. Seems strange that the locals seemed to know it was there all this time. I suppose they didn´t know the pilot was still in it.
Just as fun now as ever before. :diablo:
By: Sky High - 8th November 2010 at 11:14
Ah – got it now. And, as it’s my first time, it’s rather good.;):)
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November 6, 2010 at 1:38 pm