It was a circular filler strip, of what we took for steel, maybe 7 inches or so wide. It had alloy attachment points all around the circumference, maybe for a perspex dome or similar. The other object is probably one of the brake shoes, or perhaps the Lancaster mod plate.
The whole quarry was emptied, the spoils searched, and then refilled, so nothing was missed.
The most likely scenario is that Williamsons got the SOC aircraft in large chunks from the MUs, removed the alloy cladding with torches or axes to melt into ingots at one of their yards, and were left with a lot of material they just couldn’t use, like Bakelite and perspex. It looks like they cleared out this low-worth stuff every so often, and maybe fly-tipped it all into the quarry.
There probably wasn’t much on a turret they could use, which would explain why our now deceased friend in our local model shop was able to find a pit full of them. He was a very knowlegeable about RAF aircraft, and a very trustworthy and respected guy, so I’m 110% sure the turret shaft is still there somewhere, and not just another local myth.
We’ll keep looking!

There was also a farmers field to the south in which just beyond the bordering hedges were remants of concrete dispersal and also lots of aviation bits and pieces. The significance of which escaped me at the time.

I think I know where you mean – just south of Lossiemouth airfield? I have been meaning to have a look around there – was there a lot of gorse at the site?

One of the tanks is lying in 15 metres of water and looks as if someone just parked it there. Perhaps one was breaking up in shallow water?

Here’s a small article about the Burghead Valentine tanks from Dive Magazine…
http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=707
I remember diving on this tank, and as soon as I reached it saw a huge lobster in the remnants of a steel box on top of the tank. I motioned to my buddies that I intended to deposit the lobster back in the boat, which was just over our heads at 12 metres. Only problem was, I couldn’t find the tank or my buddies again…

Is it on runway 23’s centreline Gary?

It was quite dark when I found it – either boost or fuel master c0ck…

The site has produced some interesting finds, especially if you like Bakelite switches and connectors!

Bomb release buttons…

Identification light/Morse switchboxes…

Indicator lights, aerial insulators, fuse boxes, with fuses inside for Blind Approach, Intercooler, Anticer, and fuel…