BobKatGlad to hear that you have looked through the pictures, Benny. Do you have any idea what the items on the left of the picture of location 73 (towards the end of the slideshow, or in post #740) are?
BobKatFollowing my last post I have now created a file of photographs of all the wreckage found to date. Captions describe all the items and readers of the thread may find this a more convenient means of viewing the pictures than looking through the many pages of the thread. The link follows:
Click on one of the pictures for a slide-show.
As more items are discovered or identified I will add pictures to the file and post a reference on the thread. If anyone spots anything new while browsing, please let me know! For example, having now handled some of the pieces, I am almost certain that the piece at the bottom right corner of the picture of items at location 15 is a piece of the H2S blister. It is thick Perspex painted bluish-black on one side.
BobKatThis is an experimental posting. I have uploaded a picture to OneDrive with a view to providing the image in my message. I am not sure whether the image will appear or just the link. So, here goes.
This is a fragment of what seems to be the upper part of a V1 casing – a dark background with pale lettering. It was found about 500 metres from the ramp and seems to provide additional evidence of a failed launch.
…………………….
It didn’t work – the link is OK but the image does not appear in the message which should be feasible. I may need some help here. If anyone can assist, I suggest a private message rather than cluttering up the thread.
Solved it: I found the Embed function!
BobKat20 July 2014
A memorial to the crew of Lancaster ED908 (60-Z) was unveiled on Sunday 20 July in the churchyard at Freulleville where the crew were originally buried. The ceremony was attended by the Lady Mayor of Freulleville, Annie Boutin-Bonningues, and Deputy Mayor, Lionel Perré, in the presence of others including the Sous-Préfète of Dieppe, Martine Laquièze, and the representative of the British Ambassador, as well as over 30 relatives of the crew who lost their lives.
On Saturday we dodged the torrential rain to visit the preserved V-1 site at Ardouval and the remains of the site at the Forêt du Croc. I had visited the forest before at an earlier time of year when the undergrowth was not so thick, but this time it was readily apparent how difficult it is at the moment for Laurent to carry out an effective search for more wreckage. The pieces that have been discovered were all on display at the village hall for us to see at the end of the afternoon. Laurent and I discussed what should happen to everything that he has found, and we agreed that, if possible, a home should be found for it in a local museum.
On the Sunday, after visiting the graves of the crew in the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery at Hautôt-sur-Mer, and laying personal tributes, we travelled to Freulleville and, right on cue, the rain started. Umbrellas were to hand and a moving ceremony got under way. In the words of one of my daughters, we were greeted by tears from above. The memorial was unveiled by the daughter of James Foulsham (109 Sqn pilot) and the nephew of Graham Aungiers (582 Sqn navigator), and a wreath was laid on behalf of the families of the crew by the brother of Edgar Pratt (rear-gunner). The cousin of Tom Bower (wireless operator) was also present along with other members of the families.
As I have already said, we were honoured by the presence of many local dignitaries and the French people quite overwhelmed us with their generous hospitality. As you will see from the attached picture the 4-foot high granite memorial placed next to the Commune’s own war memorial is quite magnificent, with the two squadron badges reproduced in colour.
A truly fitting tribute to the crew.
BobKatThanks Hennie. Hope you enjoy yours too. Will look forward to hearing more on your return.
BobKatGood morning Hennie.
Yes, I had forgotten that – parachute silk was made into blouses, and the crash axe was salvaged. As you say, more may come to light.
We are off to our 70th anniversary this weekend – a memorial is being unveiled at the local churchyard where the crew were originally buried. I will post more on the ED908 thread in due course.
BobKatHennie, you are absolutely right in your last comments. The tyre of ED908 was made into soles for shoes and a piece of the underside of the wing (like your hen-coop) had a hole cut in for a chimney!!
BobKatThanks Peter. An interesting set of pictures. Hennie’s photo clearly shows “top-hat” stringers on the underside of the wing. I think you are right – with our angled stringers, we probably have a piece of the tail-plane. It would make sense that the wing would need more substantial strengthening support.
…………………………
Another look through the set of pictures shows what seems to be part of the wing structure with the angled stringers on the underside!! Back to square one! I have to say that the general appearance of our piece makes me think, given the choice between the two, that we are more likely to have a piece of the wing which has been cut to shape than a piece of the tail-plane, but I guess we cannot be certain one way or the other.
BobKatMany thanks, Peter. We could be on the right lines, and yet the shape doesn’t quite seem to fit? But, perhaps it is just the perspective that makes it look odd? Our piece has an overlapping joint in the middle along the length of the stiffeners which I can’t see on your version. If only we could see the stiffeners on the inside!
Looking again at Hennie’s picture, this seems a better fit, but the stiffeners are different. Might these have varied over time? Or could a repair make a difference?
A bit difficult to be sure on this one.
BobKatQuite right, Peter. The stiffeners on Hennie’s piece are more ‘top-hat’ style. So, yes, you could be right – there were also red markings on the tail-plane. Maybe that is what we have. Now we need to find some pictures to try to confirm this theory!
BobKatPeter, I have just found the following on a thread started by Hennie.
http://forum.keypublishing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=225123&d=1391360178
This also seems to have been put to an unusual use!!
I think we have it (thanks Hennie!)
BobKatPeter, that’s a splendid bit of research – many thanks indeed – it seems as if we have a positive ID for the underside of the wing. I was unable to find anything which gave me the rivet patterns. Can you point me in the right direction to find an illustration of these, please?
BobKatI have been having a closer look at the reverse side of item 76 (picture attached). There is a definite trace of a red line along the top. It is also fairly clear that the piece must have been cut to shape by whoever found it – the edges would otherwise be expected to be torn. I have convinced myself that this must be a piece from the underside of the wing which would originally have had no circular aperture. Or if it did, then what now exists has been enlarged .The red line would then make sense as one of the warning markings, possibly running from the front to rear of the wing between the inboard and outboard engines.
Laurent has just contacted me to confirm that the size of the piece is approximately 24” x 18”, and that there is a 5” gap between the angled stiffeners. Would this make sense with my suggestion?
He says it was found amongst the rubbish of a local resident and that he thinks that the hole was cut to make a chimney!! Your logic as to its purpose, WV903, was impeccable!!
BobKatPeter,
Many thanks for the pictures. Am I right in saying that the item at the bottom right of 74 (your second picture) is located at the rear centre of the engine immediately above the supercharger? I think I have spotted it on a picture of a different version of the Merlin where the pipework looks a little different, but the fitting seems to be the same. I have seen references to a boost control – is this the same thing or something completely different?
I am having some difficulty with our wing (?) piece. The only position that seems to fit with your diagram is the section with the left hand of the two access panels numbered 16. I have tried to check the rivet pattern with the Lancaster Explored CD, but there is nothing in close-up detail which helps. And, in any event, would we not expect to see rivets around the circumference of the hole if this was an access panel aperture?
I am waiting to hear back from Laurent with any more details he can provide.
BobKatMany thanks WV903 and Peter.
Interesting what you say about the ‘bomblet’ in 69, WV903. I came across a picture of a photoflash flare where the casing looked similar, but not identical. So perhaps it is something of that nature?
At first sight, I thought the hole in the big piece (76) might be the aperture for an inspection panel, but there are no rivet holes around it, so it can’t be that. The reverse side is smooth, bar the rivets. Laurent tells me that he didn’t find this (I have to say I thought it was a bit large for him not to have found it earlier), but it was recovered by one of the local residents after the war and I am wondering what he has been using it for and whether he might have made the hole??? The edges have a relatively freshly scoured look about them. I have asked Laurent for the dimensions.
Peter, many thanks for the ID on the right hand piece in 73 – I have found a picture – spot on! Is the item you refer to in 74 the one at the top left? Do you have a picture or a diagram to help me with this?
If you have a drawing of the underside wing panel, it could be very helpful. We may find a match without the hole!!
Sign In
