Ali – replies below (been aviation archaeology-ing since I was 13!)

HOPE THAT HELPS

TT

Thanks a lot. It really does help as what really miffed me was a team from the US coming over and setting up a business pulling aircraft from Lochs and Lakes for personal gain. I think that if British museums were to benifit then that would be the only acceptable operation. I do hope it’s true that only UK Subjects can apply for licences. Didn’t see that on the booklet though but I may have missed it. Will have another read.

Thanks very much TT

Ali 😀

Hurricane I V6786 of 9 PAFU 07/03/43 Crashed and sank in Loch Leven, about 15 miles SW of Errol at 1315. The pilot is buried in the grounds of Murie House, 3 miles SW of Errol. Sub-Lt(A) Winston Vernon STARK (RNZNVR), of HMS ‘Jackdaw’ (FAA) – Age 20

Source: “For Your Tomorrow” Vol. II, page 71 by Errol Martyn

V7605 56 OTU 16/04/43 – Pilot?

I got all that from the accident report. V7605 was flown by a Sgt Turner and he survived the accident and I checked on the Commonwealth War Graves web site and he seems to have survived the war too.

The interesting thing about V7605 is an ex 1st Canadian Sqn (then 401 sqn) and there was only one Canadian squadron that flew in the battle of britain so if it’s still there then it’s quite a historically significant aircraft.

Ali

I thought that might be the case. On the other hand, SNH, like other government departments, is also very mindful of the need to be seen to be doing something of importance. I would have thought that a survey to find out what is in Loch Leven could be deemed as important. Bringing in gear to recover anything, would be a completely different matter. :diablo:

Best wishes
Steve P

I know that someone has already done a survey with Proton Magnetometers but can’t get any information as to the results. I did hear that working with SNH was a real pain and I understand that getting permissions for the search were slightly different to getting permissions for a recovery.

Ali

I did make some brief enquiries but the Loch is looked after by Scottish Natural Heritage and it’s difficult to get any kind craft even a canoe on there. SNH don’t want anyone on there except if they are fishermen and the Loch being Scotlands national trout fishing center is very heavily policed.

Its FINS and not flippers. A flipper is a dodgy dolphin. 🙂

Ali

Alison,

I’ve read about them, most probably in the 56 OTU ORB, of which I have a copy. There is nothing in it about a recovery. The area around Loch Leven was used by that unit for low flying training, and tragically, crashes were frequent.

Best wishes
Steve P

So that means there is a real chance that they are still there then.

Ali 😎

I’ve heard about them. Don’t know if they have been recovered.

Best wishes
Steve P

I do have the accident reports of both of these aircraft which quite clearly says that they both went into Loch Leven and I was wondering if anyone out there has got any information as to any recovery operations during or after the war ended. A friend of mine has spoken to Sir David Montgomery, the local Laird, who owns the Loch who has said he was unaware of any crashes during the war in the Loch. The accident reports quite clearly says that they did.

Ali

That told Daz. I guess the higher you jump, the deeper you dive 😀

Sorry wandering off topic again. Best wishes for your future explorations and look forward to the reports.

At least from the photo you can tell i’m blonde.

Ali