kenb
Bronze Member
Harlech beach gives up secrets of American plane
Nov 7 2007 by Eryl Crump, Daily Post
THE wartime plane found on a North Wales beach was last night described as one of the most significant recent archeological discoveries.
The Lockheed P-38F Lightning surfaced after being covered by sand near Llanbedr for more than 65 years.
But in the last few weeks high tides have washed away layers of sand to reveal its wings.
Richard Gillespie, executive director of The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (Tighar) said the find was one of the most significant WWII–related archaeological discoveries in recent history.
He told the Daily Post Tighar experts carried out an archaeological survey of the P-38 last month assisted by representatives from the Imperial War Museum and archeologists from the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and Gwynedd Council and Snowdonia National Park officers.
He said: “The aircraft is believed to be P-38F USAAF serial number 41-7677, assigned to the 49th Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force.
“On September 27, 1942, fuel exhaustion during a training mission forced 2nd Lt Robert Fred Elliot to land the large twin-engine fighter in shallow water on the beach.
“Following the accident, 8th Air Force authorities disarmed, but did not salvage, the aircraft which was soon covered by the shifting sand beneath the surf.”
The 24-year-old from North Carolina was unhurt in the incident which happened while his unit were at Llanbedr undergoing a week’s gunnery practice.
After leaving North Wales he headed to Tunisia and just weeks later was reported missing in action.
Mr Gillespie added: “At the time of Lt Elliot’s mishap, few civilians in the local area were aware of the accident because the beaches in the United Kingdom were closed to the public during World War II and the press was not allowed to print stories about Allied wrecks. After the war, recreational use of the beaches resumed but the Lightning remained hidden only to re-emerge briefly 65 years later.
“The sands have once again shifted and the fighter has vanished – this time to await its recovery in the spring.”
First delivered to the US Army Air Corps in June 1941 the P-38F was the first model to see combat but no original example of the mark survives in any collection.
Gwynedd Council’s maritime department is now planning to protect the site while its restoration is arranged.
Council maritime officer Barry Davies said the plane was found by a member of the public out walking on the beach.
Neither Gwynedd council nor Tighar are revealing the precise location in the interest of public safety and to protect the aircraft.
erylcrump
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nor...-up-secrets-of-american-plane-55578-20072078/
kenb
Nov 7 2007 by Eryl Crump, Daily Post
THE wartime plane found on a North Wales beach was last night described as one of the most significant recent archeological discoveries.
The Lockheed P-38F Lightning surfaced after being covered by sand near Llanbedr for more than 65 years.
But in the last few weeks high tides have washed away layers of sand to reveal its wings.
Richard Gillespie, executive director of The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (Tighar) said the find was one of the most significant WWII–related archaeological discoveries in recent history.
He told the Daily Post Tighar experts carried out an archaeological survey of the P-38 last month assisted by representatives from the Imperial War Museum and archeologists from the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and Gwynedd Council and Snowdonia National Park officers.
He said: “The aircraft is believed to be P-38F USAAF serial number 41-7677, assigned to the 49th Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force.
“On September 27, 1942, fuel exhaustion during a training mission forced 2nd Lt Robert Fred Elliot to land the large twin-engine fighter in shallow water on the beach.
“Following the accident, 8th Air Force authorities disarmed, but did not salvage, the aircraft which was soon covered by the shifting sand beneath the surf.”
The 24-year-old from North Carolina was unhurt in the incident which happened while his unit were at Llanbedr undergoing a week’s gunnery practice.
After leaving North Wales he headed to Tunisia and just weeks later was reported missing in action.
Mr Gillespie added: “At the time of Lt Elliot’s mishap, few civilians in the local area were aware of the accident because the beaches in the United Kingdom were closed to the public during World War II and the press was not allowed to print stories about Allied wrecks. After the war, recreational use of the beaches resumed but the Lightning remained hidden only to re-emerge briefly 65 years later.
“The sands have once again shifted and the fighter has vanished – this time to await its recovery in the spring.”
First delivered to the US Army Air Corps in June 1941 the P-38F was the first model to see combat but no original example of the mark survives in any collection.
Gwynedd Council’s maritime department is now planning to protect the site while its restoration is arranged.
Council maritime officer Barry Davies said the plane was found by a member of the public out walking on the beach.
Neither Gwynedd council nor Tighar are revealing the precise location in the interest of public safety and to protect the aircraft.
erylcrump
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nor...-up-secrets-of-american-plane-55578-20072078/
kenb
