Elgin's Quarrywood aircraft scrap excavation

Hi all, I’ve just heard about this quarry from a friend who used to play there as a kid. He remembers there being at least one WW2 tank being buried at Elgin. Was there any signs of any thing like this that anyone knows of, and how much of the quarry was excavated? And was the shaft ever excavated?
Cheers, Simon.

…The most likely scenario is that Williamsons got the SOC aircraft in large chunks from the MUs, removed the alloy cladding with torches or axes to melt into ingots at one of their yards, and were left with a lot of material they just couldn’t use, like Bakelite and perspex. It looks like they cleared out this low-worth stuff every so often, and maybe fly-tipped it all into the quarry…

Ahhh, that fills in the missing gap that I have. I heard about quarries being filled with bits of aircraft as much as 13 years ago when I lived up in Bishopmill. At the time I went on a few (half-hearted) explorations close to Spynie hospital and found nothing that I associated with aircraft (20 year aircraft techie that I was at the time) however all I was doing was superficial surface observation stuff. TBH at the time I couldn’t imagine the people of Elgin allowing trucks full of trashed aircraft from Bogs ‘o Main or Lossie being dumped in local quarries. And to be honest I still can’t, which is why the ‘fly tipping’ theory works for me. 🙂

I did wonder if it might be one of the filler strips surrounding the turret. It’s certainly around the same size…

Could it have been the circular parts on the side of the gun mounts on a fn5 turret?

It was a circular filler strip, of what we took for steel, maybe 7 inches or so wide. It had alloy attachment points all around the circumference, maybe for a perspex dome or similar. The other object is probably one of the brake shoes, or perhaps the Lancaster mod plate.
The whole quarry was emptied, the spoils searched, and then refilled, so nothing was missed.
The most likely scenario is that Williamsons got the SOC aircraft in large chunks from the MUs, removed the alloy cladding with torches or axes to melt into ingots at one of their yards, and were left with a lot of material they just couldn’t use, like Bakelite and perspex. It looks like they cleared out this low-worth stuff every so often, and maybe fly-tipped it all into the quarry.
There probably wasn’t much on a turret they could use, which would explain why our now deceased friend in our local model shop was able to find a pit full of them. He was a very knowlegeable about RAF aircraft, and a very trustworthy and respected guy, so I’m 110% sure the turret shaft is still there somewhere, and not just another local myth.
We’ll keep looking!

I would have thought there would be more than tiny bits left? Is this the only dumping area at the location? Also what is the metal object in the centre of the one pic?

Just checking 🙂

Jon

Yes, I’m happy they are probably asbestos lined. If I decide to keep it, I’ll give it a quick spray with lacquer or something…

For your sake, you happy the brake shoes arent made of anything nasty?

It was quite dark when I found it – either boost or fuel master c0ck…

That red button on the first pic of parts, could it be from the boost control lever on the Lancaster throttle control box left side?

Great to see those stories being checked, you never know what you may find and it can be dissapointing perhaps, but this one can be stricken off the list.

Good work Elliott and crew.

Cees

…. and brake shoes…

The site has produced some interesting finds, especially if you like Bakelite switches and connectors!

Bomb release buttons…

Identification light/Morse switchboxes…

Indicator lights, aerial insulators, fuse boxes, with fuses inside for Blind Approach, Intercooler, Anticer, and fuel…

There is another, almost identical quarry, just yards away. This quarry has been filled with very large boulders, some probably weighing many tons, but right at the bottom level is this radio tray, perhaps from a Lancaster or similar.
Apart from a few dumped lorry wheels, this is all that is visible here, and due to the steep incline and heavy rocks, the quarry is unlikely to ever be excavated…

I take it the local area was checked for obvious signs??? Would be a shame if you were only a few feet away from the holy grail.

I felt a bit of a prat, as I’d encouraged Elliott with the stories Al and I had heard. With the components found on the surface I was sure the dig would be very productive. However, as Elliott kindly said, it had to be crossed off the list.

The mods listed on the plate all seem to be related to the elevator, e.g.

435: to introduce metal elevator servo and trimmer flaps.

704: replacement of lead weights by cast iron weights, elevator mass balance.

1131: introduction of additional wooden ribs in fabric covered elevator.

This quote suggests it is unlikely to be related to an Upkeep Lancaster:

In October 22, 1943, HK535, the first Lancaster to be fully manufactured at Castle Bromwich, took off from the airfield. Production was slow to get going and only eight Lancasters were completed by the end of that year.

Source (unchecked): http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=848290&nmt=RE:%20Spitfires%20To%20Jaguars%20At%20Castle%20Bromwich

Congratulations to Elliott though, for having the determination to investigate the quarry – the outcome might have been so different!

Well CBAF means its a Castle Bromwich built aircraft. Being a regular visitor to the Jaguar factory these days its always interesting to see signs of it previous life.

I’m sure that the first priority would be to benefit the Whitley Project…