This comment is not intended to provoke another outbreak of historic aircraft mining fever, although I do regard the source as impeccable.
A Flypast reader writes that at sometime during 1959 he was at the former Wiltshire Flying Club, Thruxton and saw a number of parked DH Mosquito’s.
I was there around that time and saw none. Many years later and talking to the late, much missed CFI Barry Dyke about my enthusiasm and love for the Mossie, Barry said that he saw a number of Mosquito aircraft arrive at Thruxton around that time, where they were to be readied for a ferry flight to the Near East.
Barry continued, that after preparation, some departed but, a few were left behind and were burnt. The remains were bull dozed into a shallow depression in the ground a short distance to the North West of the wartime Watch tower and presumably are still there.
By: Newforest - 2nd September 2013 at 18:43
Brings back memories, I was there in 1961 for my first parachute jump and that was how we found them.
By: Atcham Tower - 2nd September 2013 at 15:53
I took this photo on 24 August 1960. It might just help to locate where they might have been buried. As I recall, they were not far from the T2 hangar.
By: pogno - 2nd September 2013 at 11:39
In the late 60’s some metal parts still survived in the grass after the airframes had been burned years previously, things like undercariage legs and a canopy frame I remember. Some other aircraft parts were also there including bits of Proctor and an instrument panel, minus instruments, with engraved ident plates for switches still in place, one of which said ‘wing tip flares’. Always wondered what that was from.
Richard
By: Bruce - 1st September 2013 at 23:35
They were fairly well cleared in the 70’s I think – Mosquito Museum certainly had some parts of them, and I am sure I have seen other parts around. Tony Agar also rescued parts.
There might be something left, but it would all be pretty rotten by now.
Bruce
By: John Green - 1st September 2013 at 22:54
That’s correct, including digging a tunnel. But, no disturbances to the area in question.
By: David Burke - 1st September 2013 at 22:01
Seem to recall May 1982 for the article.
By: Rocketeer - 1st September 2013 at 21:14
They have done so many earthworks in the last decade it is likely all gone
By: Arabella-Cox - 1st September 2013 at 21:12
….and also a hefty article on them in an early Flypast (circa 1983 i think)
By: David Burke - 1st September 2013 at 20:54
They are very well documented . They arrived in 1956 and had been pretty much destroyed by 1960! They were G-AOCI ‘K’ and ‘L’ -there is a wealth information on various forums.
Sign In
September 1, 2013 at 8:34 pm