“The bill must be paid. The unwritten final page must be written.”

What unwritten final page…???? We know he crashed. We know when. We know where. We know he died. Where’s the mystery?
Smith was certainly the real-deal, a true ‘Golden-Age’ pioneer and a great Aussie. Do we need to know where…to the nearest GPS calculated metre where he bought the farm…? So that what – some mouldered vestigial junk can be put on in a display of dubious taste to gather dust…? How can this possibly be of benefit? I think that one well-preserved wheel is quite iconic actually.
There is another issue too;- All these people were painfully aware of the risks they were running. They rarely had radio…no real navaids…and it was over fifty years before GPS. It wasn’t called ‘Dead-Reckoning’ for nothing. They knew and accepted the risks, and it’s well documented that many specifically stated that people were NOT to risk their lives looking for them if they disappeared…which of course many, like Lancaster and Smith did. An old pal of mine who flew in far-flung parts at that time told me years ago, that he carried a pistol, not to shoot his way out of trouble, but to give him the option of a clean exit, which just about sums-up their gritty attitude.
The families may well have given permission, but frankly I’m cynical about the motives for finding and dredging this ancient grave up and turning it into someones idea of reality TV. It’d show far more reverance to just leave it be, along with the crews dignity – a far better way of ‘Paying the bill’. PP.

Kingsford Smith was just one of many aviators of that fascinating period who died making risky flights (VFR in the tropics, at night with very minimal met’ and no real hope of any SAR, a loaded dice.). As with the Amelia Aerhart episode, much hot air has been expended to little or no purpose. The where and when of the demise of this aircraft (..and Aerharts.) and crew have been perfectly well know since they were lost. There simply IS no mystery to resolve. It is hugely unlikely that any exact cause can be divined from what will doubless be vestigial remains, even if this claim proves to be correct.
There is a rather mawkish side to these sort of exploits which I for one find myself rather uncomfortable with. Left unregulated, even now, ‘enthusiasts’ would still be hacking into War Graves with JCB’s for yet another ‘Panel’ or to sell on Ebay or for some spurious claim at extending our historical knowlwdge.
I see no purpose whatever in disturbing any remains, human or otherwise. By all means celebrate the men, celebrate their acheivements, find the drawings, build a replica and fly it in celebration, have a ball, – but leave their graves in peace.

There is no doubt that some of the stories about dumps have a basis in truth. However, many stories get embellished far beyond the facts. Another point is this; I’ve had a few crated and professionally inhibited ex-Service aero-engines over the years. Even so, they still deteriorate. The idea that engines that have been dumped in a wet hole and run-over with a bulldozer will be well-preserved after seventy years is doubtful to say the least. Magnesium alloy normally corrodes like hell.
I know that there were a number of Merlins buried on the old Hartlebury RAF Store site, as a cousin – now deceased – saw it done when he worked there. Apparently they discovered that they had several too many of this item, about six as I recall, so they were quickly buried. Must have been late 1950’s. However, it was a big site, so you’d be hard-pressed to find them. It’s just an industrial estate now.

Came across these two pictures whilst browsing through a pre war photo album yesterday.
Not 100% certain but possibly Alex Henshaw standing next to the aircraft in the white flying suit? (serial number wrong).
Definately Kings Cup 1938 at Hatfield though.
Anyhow, hope you enjoy them.
Gerry

Nope. AADH isn’t in either of these piccies.