Here are some 16 images of N2980 ashore at Lochend, Loch Ness, probably on Sunday 22nd September 1985, taken during a visit with forum member Scotavia.
They show members of Heriot-Watt University, and the lift team, inspecting the condition of the airframe, and some close-ups of a few artifacts.
I seem to remember some Brooklands people, and at least one of the surviving aircrew, at a meeting at a local hotel, where someone attached a battery to a newly recovered red navigation lamp, which promptly lit up!
http://s1130.photobucket.com/albums/m537/allamo/Vickers%20Wellington/?albumview=slideshow
By: macca172 - 28th October 2011 at 21:08
“Had a copy of the BBC2 programme ‘One Of Our Aircraft Is No Longer Missing’ about the recovery and history of the Wellington back then, sadly it was on a Betamax cassette”!
I bought a DVD copy of that program here is Australia two years ago…it was in what we call a “two Dollar Shop”!
By: macca172 - 28th October 2011 at 21:08
“Had a copy of the BBC2 programme ‘One Of Our Aircraft Is No Longer Missing’ about the recovery and history of the Wellington back then, sadly it was on a Betamax cassette”!
I bought a DVD copy of that program here is Australia two years ago…it was in what we call a “two Dollar Shop”!
By: scotavia - 28th October 2011 at 17:31
Strathallen geodetic was I understand from L7775 Braemar wreck.
By: scotavia - 28th October 2011 at 17:31
Strathallen geodetic was I understand from L7775 Braemar wreck.
By: captainslow - 28th October 2011 at 16:53
The Rear Gunner did bail out of the Wellington after turning the turret to full right, tragically he maybe pulled the ripcord too soon and the parachute snagged on the aircraft and didn’t open properly. Robin Holmes book ‘One Of Our Aircraft’ is an excellent read with a full account of the early Bomber Command raids that N2980 flew on with many first-hand accounts from the survivors from both sides who were still with us then, and the discovery and recovery from Loch Ness.
Had a copy of the BBC2 programme ‘One Of Our Aircraft Is No Longer Missing’ about the recovery and history of the Wellington back then, sadly it was on a Betamax cassette!:o
By: captainslow - 28th October 2011 at 16:53
The Rear Gunner did bail out of the Wellington after turning the turret to full right, tragically he maybe pulled the ripcord too soon and the parachute snagged on the aircraft and didn’t open properly. Robin Holmes book ‘One Of Our Aircraft’ is an excellent read with a full account of the early Bomber Command raids that N2980 flew on with many first-hand accounts from the survivors from both sides who were still with us then, and the discovery and recovery from Loch Ness.
Had a copy of the BBC2 programme ‘One Of Our Aircraft Is No Longer Missing’ about the recovery and history of the Wellington back then, sadly it was on a Betamax cassette!:o
By: nuuumannn - 28th October 2011 at 13:51
I guess for the rear gunner to bail out?
Precisely.
Brilliant seeing these, then looking at images of the aircraft as it is now at Brooklands. There was a rumour that the Wellington was offered to the Royal Museums of Scotland for display at East Fortune, but it was turned down since the manpower and the space were not there. At that time I think the museum at EF was in only one of the four hangars it occupies today.
The East Fortune museum does have a chunk of Wellington geodetic structure, it’s about nine feet in length and I used to think it was given to them from this aircraft, but I’ve seen photos of the piece at Strathallan. Maybe it did come from the Loch Ness Wellington? Can anyone confirm this?
By: nuuumannn - 28th October 2011 at 13:51
I guess for the rear gunner to bail out?
Precisely.
Brilliant seeing these, then looking at images of the aircraft as it is now at Brooklands. There was a rumour that the Wellington was offered to the Royal Museums of Scotland for display at East Fortune, but it was turned down since the manpower and the space were not there. At that time I think the museum at EF was in only one of the four hangars it occupies today.
The East Fortune museum does have a chunk of Wellington geodetic structure, it’s about nine feet in length and I used to think it was given to them from this aircraft, but I’ve seen photos of the piece at Strathallan. Maybe it did come from the Loch Ness Wellington? Can anyone confirm this?
By: j_jza80 - 28th October 2011 at 10:24
I guess for the rear gunner to bail out?
By: j_jza80 - 28th October 2011 at 10:24
I guess for the rear gunner to bail out?
By: j_jza80 - 28th October 2011 at 10:20
I think it’s fantastic that after all that time underwater, the tail markings are still visible 🙂
Just out of interest, I wonder why the rear turret is facing to the right?
By: j_jza80 - 28th October 2011 at 10:20
I think it’s fantastic that after all that time underwater, the tail markings are still visible 🙂
Just out of interest, I wonder why the rear turret is facing to the right?
By: mantog - 28th October 2011 at 10:16
Good stuff, thanks for posting
By: mantog - 28th October 2011 at 10:16
Good stuff, thanks for posting
By: scotavia - 27th October 2011 at 23:29
Certainly was a Grand Day Out ,and the added spice was the ride on the back of your Harley motorbike Al !
In the first pic the gent in the hat and blue badged overalls just right of centre is Robin Holmes the project organiser.The pre recovery plans and underwater pics featured in the first issue of Flypast.
In 1985 I had no idea that I would still be living and working up here,must be something in the water (whiskey? )
By: scotavia - 27th October 2011 at 23:29
Certainly was a Grand Day Out ,and the added spice was the ride on the back of your Harley motorbike Al !
In the first pic the gent in the hat and blue badged overalls just right of centre is Robin Holmes the project organiser.The pre recovery plans and underwater pics featured in the first issue of Flypast.
In 1985 I had no idea that I would still be living and working up here,must be something in the water (whiskey? )
By: Peter - 27th October 2011 at 22:38
What a fantastic set of pictures of what must rank as being the most historic aircraft recovery in the uk IMHO!
By: Peter - 27th October 2011 at 22:38
What a fantastic set of pictures of what must rank as being the most historic aircraft recovery in the uk IMHO!
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October 27, 2011 at 10:26 pm