I’m not sure what the main stream press is going to do to help? If there is a serious plan to recover the aircraft then that would be the last thing you would want! There still doesn’t seem to be an answer to the question who from the RAFM/AHC will go out there and recover it? If the idea is to ask the egyptian military to do a recovery the damage done so far will look like small beer!

Nor did the port aileron which is now sitting on the ground under the wing!

Andy is far better qualified to comment on that although I suspect he may have to bite his lip!

Have i missed something here? Since when did the MOD get involved in searching for missing servicemen from ww2 (or any other war for that matter?) I have heard of numerous instances where known remains in the UK and in other areas of the world have been pinpointed to exact locations only for the ‘MOD’ to veto any recovery effort? (noble intensions or not) When recoveries have taken place (as i understand it) in a least one case even with the express approval of the servicemens’ family the MOD launched a (failed) prosecution and the remains (of the aircraft) were confiscated? I have heard of one case where remains were located underwater and the person who found the wreck on informing the nearest embassy being told to leave well alone despite the offer to recover the pilots remains and give him a decent burial gratis. Don’t get me wrong as a former serviceman myself i think the recovery of the poor pilot of this P40 is a noble endeavor (not to mention tens of thousands of other poor soles who perished for our freedom) however I think the likely hood of him being found in such an enormous area after all this time are close to zero. The cost of launching a search in this location and given the political situation in egypt is not insignificant and I am sure there is no way either MOD civilians of current servicemen will be deployed officially in an area where the FCO is advising no one to visit unless it is essential. UK policy on this subject does not cover us (The UK) in glory to say the least and we would do well to take a leaf from some other nations on this. If there has been a shift in policy i for one support that 100% but i have to say i am sceptical.

MoS XXX AI in the UK

I can confirm that the deal has indeed been done and the AI is safely in the UK. It certainly is not for sale or trade. If anyone has any tecnical info, parts or knows the whereabouts of suitable Gnome 9n please let me know.

Pat