Second Spitfire dig.

A second Spit, this time a MkIIB, came down half a mile from Sgt Feary’s N3238.
A more promising magnetometer reading suggested a prop boss and mechanical plant was thus employed. Combining the excavations over a weekend, with an evening snifter in Weymouth seemed a good plan. What a difference a day makes. After a hot dusty Saturday, Sunday dawned miserable and got worse. The day started poorly with one member of the team failing to fully fasten the ramp on the back of the equipment stuffed sheep trailer. (yes, we drove down from Wales). Arriving at the site we found that waterproofs, detectors and shovels had been deposited along the half mile track to the field. People were not amused.
The aircraft was P8516, lost on 4th August 1941 with PO. Smith. The site had been well recovered by the RAF but as predicted, the prop hub was found two meters down, along with engine and cockpit fragments. Most interesting amongst these was the rocker gun button. The hub was left locally and it is hoped to donate it to Warmwell church, a couple of miles distant.