Does anyone remember or even have a copy of a small book/pamphlet that was privately produced in the 1970s listing all the crashes in Yorkshire (and possibly the Eastern part of the U.K). It gave crash locations with, I think, map references together with circumstances of the losses. I had a copy in my teens and used it to visit some of the crash sites. I recall it was printed with a white card cover, was quiote thin and had some photographs inside, including a picture of a fairly complete looking crashed HE177 (which I always thought might not have been taken in the UK) sprawled near a railway embankment. Another sad story was of a fighter that had crashed on the moors and the pilot was not found until too late and had passed away from exposure. Does this ring any bells for anyone? I am aware of the published titles but I don’t think it was one of these.
By: kirmington - 28th July 2015 at 20:02
Thank you everyone. I have ordered a copy of the book for old times sake. I recall tramping over the Yorkshire moors in the 1970s armed with the book and on occasions actually found some wreckage! I recall a photo of a crashed, reasonably intact HE177 which had scat itself over a railway embankment. When I get the book I will try and post the picture. It didn’t identify the crash location I recall. I always wondered if this was a U.K crash?
By: Seafuryfan - 26th July 2015 at 22:51
I read the title of this thread in a literal way…before I saw sense. A surreal moment.
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th July 2015 at 21:54
I saw the two original versions, quite recently, at The Aviation Bookshop in Tunbridge Wells. They may still have them.
By: TwinOtter23 - 26th July 2015 at 18:19
kirmington,
All of the original White Rose Base books have been sold, however I have tracked down a copy of the second edition published in 1980; located on the second hand books stall (fund raising table) that NAM has in Hangar 2.
96 pages and mainly covers the base histories (several crash photographs, perhaps what I was thinking about) and is listed as “An Air Museum York Publication”.
‘Warplanes Return’ & ‘Melbourne Ten’ are both noted as being compiled by the same author.
This copy is currently out of circulation, in case it is of interest to you – if not it will go back on the fund raising table! I hope this helps. 🙂
By: windhover - 25th July 2015 at 21:11
Or… if you want to go a little further south-east into 5 Group territory; there’s always the two book “Lincolnshire Air War, 1939-1945,” by Sid Finn.
Both are still available on Amazon.
By: kirmington - 25th July 2015 at 16:49
Just been contacted by someone who has the book ‘Warplanes return’. It is the right one. I am going to buy a copy for nostalgia’s sake! Thank you both again for your kind help.
By: kirmington - 25th July 2015 at 16:01
Thank you both very much. I have also heard another forum the book might well be by Brian Rapier’s ‘Warplanes return’. Twin Otter I would appreciate you having a look the content at NAM as I don’t want to buy until I know it is the right one!
By: Mark12 - 25th July 2015 at 15:22
Warplanes Return By Brian Rapier.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warplanes-Return-Yorkshire-Brian-Rapier/dp/B001REJGQC
I think Nev Franklin may have published it along side Control Column.
..see also High Ground Wrecks by David Smith.
Mark
By: TwinOtter23 - 25th July 2015 at 14:55
As I recall ‘White Rose Bases’ did also cover crash locations, I don’t have a copy here but up until a few weeks ago the second hand books stall in Hangar 2 at NAM still had copies available. There was a significant quantity of them amongst the items recovered from Nev Franklin’s house when he passed away – IIRC he was involved in their publishing through Aero Litho Company (Lincoln) Ltd.
When I’m back at NAM tomorrow I will see if there are any left and check for content!
By: kirmington - 25th July 2015 at 14:45
Hi Twin otter and Mark, I don’t think it was ‘White Rose Bases’ it was specifically about crashes rather than airfields and it had the photo of an HE177 crash site. I do not have access to the Rapier book (although I see it is on Abebooks) so cant conclusively check. It is very frustrating not being able to remember the title. As I say I went all over with it in my teens (all those years ago!). I hope somebody will remember it.
By: Mark12 - 25th July 2015 at 14:36
Brian Rapier.
By: TwinOtter23 - 25th July 2015 at 14:30
Was it ‘White Rose Bases’?
Sign In
July 25, 2015 at 2:20 pm