RB-29 'over-exposed' crash site.

[TheTurbonator]

Someone at work was telling me about this:

http://www.jarrelook.co.uk/Urbex/B29%20crash%20sit...

I might go take a look myself but what puzzles me is why the plane was never recovered? The chap at work just told me it wasn't the done thing back then but it just seems odd to me, and a little dis-respectful, to leave something like that after it claimed 13 lives.

[16v_paddy]

I've been to a similar site near Llanbedr in Wales when I went there with the air cadets. The wreckage of a Lancaster is up there and I believe sites like that are protected war graves/memorials to those that died in the crashes

[dr_gn]

TheTurbonator said:

Someone at work was telling me about this:

http://www.jarrelook.co.uk/Urbex/B29%20crash%20sit...

I might go take a look myself but what puzzles me is why the plane was never recovered? The chap at work just told me it wasn't the done thing back then but it just seems odd to me, and a little dis-respectful, to leave something like that after it claimed 13 lives.

If you do go to see it, you'll realise why it wasn't recovered! It's pretty remote up there. Having said that, some of the stainless steel and chrome components look like new.

A lot of aircraft were recovered after crashing, others buried, others burned; depends on size, location and how fragmented they were after impact. There are recognisable chunks of many aircraft on the high ground of the Peaks: Meteors, a Stirling and Sabres for example.

[TheTurbonator]

I can understand that they've become a memorial now but that's 60 years later. Just wondering what the thinking was back in 1948 and why they decided to just leave it.

ETA: Posted before I read the above post. I suppose accessibility would have played a big part in the decision.

Edited by TheTurbonator on Saturday 28th December 23:15

[Streps]

I watched a program recently where they recovered a crashed spitfire in France,
It was impressive just how deep it buried itself into the ground,

Probably in soft ground an aircraft of this size would make it impossible.
It's better to just leave all of it up there in peace.

I have seen people trying to sell crash debris on ebay though,.
I personally find this more disrespectful.
20 second search..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-SPITFIRE-CRASH-WING-...

[TheEnd]

There's a Dakota crash site very close to it due west too

http://www.astrecks.co.uk/peakaircraftwrecks.htm#6...

[dr_gn]

There's a Hawker Hunter too, crashed in '92 or '93 IIRC. Unfortunately it's 30ft underground...and the pilot's still with it.

[TheTurbonator]

Streps said:

I watched a program recently where they recovered a crashed spitfire in France,
It was impressive just how deep it buried itself into the ground,

Probably in soft ground an aircraft of this size would make it impossible.
It's better to just leave all of it up there in peace.

I have seen people trying to sell crash debris on ebay though,.
I personally find this more disrespectful.
20 second search..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-SPITFIRE-CRASH-WING-...

That's the reason why I find leaving it so disrespectful, it's just too easy for someone to help themselves to parts off of it or to move it about. I bet anything valuable has long gone. From looking at some of the pictures, it looks like the engine blocks are all that remain of the engines.

Edited by TheTurbonator on Saturday 28th December 23:17

[h4muf]

I've been,truly amazing and sobering place.

A few of my photos.


WP_000849 by h4muf, on Flickr

WP_000861 by h4muf, on Flickr

WP_000867 by h4muf, on Flickr

WP_000919 by h4muf, on Flickr

WP_000924 by h4muf, on Flickr

WP_000885 by h4muf, on Flickr

WP_000890 by h4muf, on Flickr

WP_000914 by h4muf, on Flickr

WP_000880 by h4muf, on Flickr

[Dr Jekyll]

dr_gn said:

There's a Hawker Hunter too, crashed in '92 or '93 IIRC. Unfortunately it's 30ft underground...and the pilot's still with it.

Was that a privately owned one?

[eccles]

Dr Jekyll said:

dr_gn said:

There's a Hawker Hunter too, crashed in '92 or '93 IIRC. Unfortunately it's 30ft underground...and the pilot's still with it.

Was that a privately owned one?

I was wondering that. Can't have been many left flying by then.

[dr_gn]

Dr Jekyll said:

dr_gn said:

There's a Hawker Hunter too, crashed in '92 or '93 IIRC. Unfortunately it's 30ft underground...and the pilot's still with it.

Was that a privately owned one?

Yes:

http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peak...

Went for a walk today near the crash site (never been to it). It's a strange thought that someone's still down there.

[mybrainhurts]

dr_gn said:

Dr Jekyll said:

dr_gn said:

There's a Hawker Hunter too, crashed in '92 or '93 IIRC. Unfortunately it's 30ft underground...and the pilot's still with it.

Was that a privately owned one?

Yes:

http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peak...

Went for a walk today near the crash site (never been to it). It's a strange thought that someone's still down there.

You sure about that? They recovered the ejector seat.

[Matt Harper]

Once, about 20 years ago, we were hiking over Grassington Moor in the Yorks dales, headed to Mossdale Cave when we happened upon the crash site of a Wellington that was strewn across a field. Later discovered that it had got lost in bad weather during the very last days of WW2 and had dropped below the cloud deck for a visual reference and ploughed into the ground. There were still a lot of recognizable parts lying around, but it was surely a devastating impact, as there were bits of smashed engine all over the place and the largest pieces of wreckage were the (shredded) tyres. I'm sure it's been picked over thousands of times by gouls and souvenir hunters - amazed us that there was anything left of it, in fact.

[Roy Lime]

dr_gn said:

http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peak...

That one had passed me by.

We often walk the pooch on a high point about ten miles West of Bleaklow. Anyone who doesn't know the area should be aware that the weather over there can be do some pretty weird things pretty bloody quickly. There's an otherworldly quality to the place and it's steeped in local superstition and folklore (not that I've any desire to turn the thread all mumbo jumbo). That part of the Peak is an aircraft graveyard and to stand and watch the clouds roll in is to begin to understand maybe why.

Off-topic but earlier this year I watched a 767 perform a series of tight, low circles right over Bleaklow before heading off to land at Manchester - never did find out why.

[mybrainhurts]

Roy Lime said:

There's an otherworldly quality to the place and it's steeped in local superstition and folklore (not that I've any desire to turn the thread all mumbo jumbo).

Like the ghost DC3 sometimes seen over the Hope Valley?

Roy Lime said:

Off-topic but earlier this year I watched a 767 perform a series of tight, low circles right over Bleaklow before heading off to land at Manchester - never did find out why.

Probably got pissed off waiting for the displays to end over Manchester airport during its 75th birthday celebration. Saturday, was it?

[Mave]

There's loads in south wales. We did a winter navigation excercise a few years ago and found a vampire, 2 Wellingtons, and a lancaster in one afternoon!

[dr_gn]

mybrainhurts said:

dr_gn said:

Dr Jekyll said:

dr_gn said:

There's a Hawker Hunter too, crashed in '92 or '93 IIRC. Unfortunately it's 30ft underground...and the pilot's still with it.

Was that a privately owned one?

Yes:

http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peak...

Went for a walk today near the crash site (never been to it). It's a strange thought that someone's still down there.

You sure about that? They recovered the ejector seat.

No I'm not absolutely sure, but from what I've reasd it seems to be the case.

It was a T.7 so there were 2 seats I guess.

[dr_gn]

mybrainhurts said:

Roy Lime said:

There's an otherworldly quality to the place and it's steeped in local superstition and folklore (not that I've any desire to turn the thread all mumbo jumbo).

Like the ghost DC3 sometimes seen over the Hope Valley?

Roy Lime said:

Off-topic but earlier this year I watched a 767 perform a series of tight, low circles right over Bleaklow before heading off to land at Manchester - never did find out why.

Probably got pissed off waiting for the displays to end over Manchester airport during its 75th birthday celebration. Saturday, was it?

Remember this?

http://drdavidclarke.co.uk/secret-files/howden-moo...

I was out at Ladybower taking photos of the comet that evening. Definitely a lot of flying activity, but I don't remember any UFO's! Then again, as usual I missed the main event - set off for home about 1/2 before it al kicked off IIRC.

Always makes me chuckle reading that lot...brilliant conspiracy about absolutely nothing.

[Roy Lime]

dr_gn said:

Remember this?

http://drdavidclarke.co.uk/secret-files/howden-moo...

I was out at Ladybower taking photos of the comet that evening. Definitely a lot of flying activity, but I don't remember any UFO's! Then again, as usual I missed the main event - set off for home about 1/2 before it al kicked off IIRC.

Always makes me chuckle reading that lot...brilliant conspiracy about absolutely nothing.

I can't say with any certainty that it was the same night but I was somewhere up there looking at the comet around that time. I'm afraid I missed the Visitors too.

Coincidentally I spoke with David Clarke a few months ago for his take on the Longdendale Lights for a story I'm working on (FICTION - before anyone accuses me of being a nut).