P-38 recovery 8th Sept

Not quite as quick off the mark as the report on the Corsair dig, but below are a few pictures of the re-dig of 2ndLt kenneth M Shaffers P-38. On 29th March 1944 he had taken off from Honington as a member of the 384th FS, 364th FG, the overcast was extended from 800ft to 9-10,000ft and as he reached an approximate altitude of 5,000ft he suffered instrument failure and abandoned his aircraft. He landed safely, the machine crashed near to Thorpe Abbotts airfield.
Exactly a month later he was shot down and taken prisoner, his camp being liberated exactly one year later.

The site was partially dug in 1990 by the 100th BG museum when the starboard engine and cockpit area were recovered, but the port engine was untouched.

We thought it was about time that we finished it off. We ended up with a badly smashed Allison, 2 prop blades, one in the hub, about a half of the port mainwheel tyre, turbocharger, carb and various odd and ends.