This a breathtaking discovery! I’m praying it gets saved before it’s vandalised to death.

I’m watching this thread with great interest.

It’s a Shetland. When I was young I collected “war birds info cards” and this is the very picture that was used to illustrate the type. I think two were built.

There is an aluminium recyclers opposite Hixon airfield that takes allsorts of scrap metal, including aero scrap. I used to go there in my lorry, collect ally ingot and deliver it to the Honda car factory at Swindon to turn into engine blocks, not too far from Lyneham!

Thanks for the pics! I have a book that has pictures taken of the site in the 80’s Looks like everything is pretty much still there. The reason for the crashes was a suspected mid-air collision, apparently witnessed by a rambler in the valley, although I believe the official records state they flew into Kinder in cloud.

Hey, Stuart. I got in touch with the owners of the yard regarding some of the stuff we found. The boss said he was more than willing to sell anything in the yard but because of insurance implications a member of staff would be needed to escort prospecive buyers around. It seems that if you enter without asking its “at your own risk” so to speak, but as soon as you ask permission they have to say no incase you sue them when you trip over and break your leg. He didn’t seem too interestd in sending one of his blokes up to allow me to buy anything though…

I was also told that they are planning on clearing the yard in the next few months and everything will be sold off or scrapped. I bet they have told people this for years though!

It was great to meet everyone up there, Ill have to take another “holiday” in the area soon.

BTW it was me that said that wheel was from a lightning :rolleyes:.

The Google earth download is excellent, thanks for pointing it out.

Its incredible that one crewmember managed to walk over 100 miles in the searing desert before perishing. Its a fascinating but tragic tale.