Well i have to agree this episode was very moving, certainly worthy of a better Tv channel. When you found Sgt smith in you book with harry holding the ID tag, the look on you faces said it all….

Having turned into a few of the other programes that have been edited by Mandrill, this was without doupt the best so far as the others seem a bit stretched out.

that data plate looks modern to me or jet age, dont think we have ever found any data plates printed before on stainless or chrome on any of our spitfire digs.

Hi yes I believe so, but under some controversy I think, I don’t know for sure so don’t quote me, but I think someone offering enough money, was allowed to dig her up, for the prize of the .5 cannons, apparently the pilot was not in the plane after all, however I could be wrong but this is what I was lead to believe.

I have been to the farm many year ago, according to the “farmer” he was lead astray into a dig which was licenced. I was told that the licence issued was not for the aircraft which they intended digging but not seeing it i cannot not confirm this. I am sure the farmer will put you right on the matter.

Yes know the field where that was dug from, quite a few dumps around aston down area. There is still more buried there too but forget digging it as the locals are going mad about large quantities of Asbestos buried! Think you will find that was one of the reasons why no more digging has been done there.

Mostly junk buried anyway, the best stuff was from the gravel pits……

If you were serious about rebuilding it to fly how much realistically could be used -twenty percent ?

I doupt it, there was never much of P8088 to start with according to the recovery report which discribes in detail that the recovery stopped at 4ft which was in sand. Will try and dig out the report but it was just small bits recovered plus a few bits of shattered engine by a hand dig.

Hi graham,

you mean one of these! will see if i can find a few not covered in mud but its 10ft long.

The engine and front end still there, but about 40ft down.

yes not a bad memory, however who would want to dig that deep for one of those…………:diablo:

What happened to the Westland Wyvern collision at littlehampdon, thought most of that was still buried in the bog or push back atleast. Not sure quite where it come from but i have a photo of the tail plane on that dig plus one looking down into the wreck plus a report of it sinking into the bog