A few years ago I received some interesting photos of an unidentified Lancaster. The gentleman who sent them stated it ditched in shallow water, was recovered after the war and then put on display, other than that, I have NOTHING!
Anyone know where, s/n, Sqn, op info?
Cheers,
Troy
By: ChiefofFairies - 16th February 2006 at 15:06
The story of Schaffner’s recoveries appeared in Flypast for January 1995.
The Lake Constance Lancaster was coded ‘TL-R’ – photographic evidence in the above article and documentary evidence in 35 Sqdn’s Operations Record Book.
Comparing the Flypast photos and Troy’s three, the damage appears similar. And moreover, examining Troy’s l-2.jpg, there is what seems to be the top part of an ‘R’ visible between the bars of the gantry alongside the fuselage. My bet is that it was ND759 photographed during its brief period of public display. High definition scans might reveal more on blow-up.
However, if Peter is right and that front turret is faired over (can’t see it, meself)… well, ‘tain’t ND759 because that had a turret.
Allan
By: Phillip Rhodes - 16th February 2006 at 14:58
Does anyone know if any other aircraft remain in Lake Constance?
By: Peter - 15th February 2006 at 23:02
Is it just me or does it appear that the front turret is faired over?
By: ...starfire - 15th February 2006 at 22:13
I seem to remember reading about a chap who recovered several aircraft from Lake Constance, in Switzerland.
That guy is / was Martin Schaffner:
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=40899&highlight=martin+schaffner
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=37452&highlight=martin+schaffner
By: LancasterKB882 - 15th February 2006 at 20:08
Two more pics…
By: HP57 - 15th February 2006 at 18:55
Part of the individual code letter is visible, compare this with the photo taken of the Swiss Lancaster while dragging out of the lake, IIRC the codes were still visible. A comparision is made swiftly.
Don’t have the FlyPast article handy at the moment.
Cees
By: Peter - 15th February 2006 at 18:14
Hello Richard.
I do not think this is the same one as there is much more damage to this aircraft than I have seen on the one recovered and put on display.
Troy is there any other pics of her?
By: RMAllnutt - 15th February 2006 at 18:09
I seem to remember reading about a chap who recovered several aircraft from Lake Constance, in Switzerland. The aircraft included at B-17 and a Lancaster. They went on display for some time, but I believe the Lancaster was scrapped in the late 50’s/early sixties. The B-17 was scrapped in the early 70’s. Some parts from the aircraft do remain at various museums in Switzerland, including at least one of the lancasters turrets. I would imagine that the lancaster in your photo is the one from Lake Constance, as I have not heard of any others so recovered.
Cheers. Richard
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February 15, 2006 at 5:20 pm