Spitfire wreckage recovered from Salisbury Plain

If you contact me off the forum that would be a better way of communicating, perhaps. I’ll certainly let you know what I unearth but am not hopeful, unfortunately.

Many thanks Andy, that sounds like a very positive lead, I’ll be interested to know what you might find out. The Squadron records (via OC 609Sqn), don’t hold any clues unfortunately.

Sorry I missed you, but Richard Osgood told me all about your project. I was only there on Monday and Wednesday, as I had to meet some deadlines for ‘Britain at War’.

My colleague Chris Goss has the 609 Squadron diaries but they are currently with Norman Franks, and by coincidence they will be with me here when Norman drops them off this coming Tuesday for a project the three of us are working on. So, I’ll have a look and also ask if Chris has anything else.

P9503 is the aircraft we are building a replica of with students. I was there on the Tuesday of the dig; a real privilege. I too am trying to discover what code letter she was wearing then. Interestingly, P9503 was flown by John Dundas a month or so before when he claimed 609’s 99th vistory. I’m sorry I missed you Andy, it would have been good to have been able to discuss our project with you.

Can anyone confirm the Sqn codes for P9503 please?

Have just seen a nice film report on BBC News 24 including an interview with the pilots daughter who was born after he was killed some months following this accident . Nice footage too of the volunteers at work both digging and recording their finds in what I think is ‘Operation Nightingale’ ?

Is it being filmed for TV ?

I did see it covered on BFBS news on Sky last night with a pretty interesting and informative article. It got my interest with the RAF Leeming connection and Leeming people helping, as I lived next to Leeming as a kid.

Brilliant Andy! The Folland was Feb 1940. Nice plates

Is it being filmed for TV ?

A great couple of days with some great guys.

Very worthwhile, despite the paucity of finds. However, the fact that the team clearly got so much out of the experience made up for the lack of exciting items for them to find – although a very nice General Aircraft Plate from the tail section turned up after you had gone, Tony! Dated 4/3/1940.

As with all digs around here Ian! Its a clone of our 7 year plus Mustang dig from that viewpoint.

Looks an interesting dig. A pity the chalk is so damned hard!

Found an article on the Daily Mail website: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2411551/Spitfire-shot-Salisbury-Plain-Luftwaffe-70-years-ago-dug-Iraq-Afghanistan-veterans.html

Nice work Andy and co. Looking forward to some pics!

The BBC say “near Upavon” though whether that’s the village or the airfield they don’t say.

Both Al!!
Andy and I were there today…..we were id’ing stuff. In a washing up bowl of unidentified finds, I found a lovely Folland Aircraft plate from the fuz. It looked like just a bit of dirty bent metal skin until I saw word ‘serial’.

Very professional dig with great people!

The owner of the plane which was U.S. registered has been named, BUT is not necessarily the pilot involved. Sad news.

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Perranporth-plane-crashes-Jersey/story-19750938-detail/story.html#axzz2dw54Q7CX

Are you in the right thread here?

Exactly whereabouts on Salisbury Plain is this dig taking place?

The BBC say “near Upavon” though whether that’s the village or the airfield they don’t say.

Mainly on the plain ?

Exactly whereabouts on Salisbury Plain is this dig taking place?

Very little left to be honest.

That’s never stopped anyone before. 🙂