WWII P-40 found in N African desert after 70 years
Discussion
Total loss said:
Butter Face said:
Amazing how it's just sat there for so long without being seen.
It was probably completely buried under a sand dune until recently uncovered by a storm/high winds
A very moving account taking a different view in today's Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/9...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/9...
TorqueVR said:
A very moving account taking a different view in today's Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/9...
That's qute an evocative article. I hope that he can be found & I hope that the mongrels in the desert don't strip the plane leaving left to be recovered.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/9...
Interestng piece of background from The Telegraph article and for once, seems to be well researched and accurate.
I'm actually bashing together the ancient Airfix 1/72 kit of the P-40 which is in those desert airforce colours although a different squadron, 112.
I found some lovely WW2 era colour pictures of 112 aircraft and aircrew.
I'm actually bashing together the ancient Airfix 1/72 kit of the P-40 which is in those desert airforce colours although a different squadron, 112.
I found some lovely WW2 era colour pictures of 112 aircraft and aircrew.
Nice photos Eric.
I wonder if the chap was on a reciprocal heading?
On a slightly different tack, I remember reading (it may have been Alex Henshaw in 'Flight of the Mew Gull') that if you were crossing sea and trying to find a particular place on the coast, you didn't aim straight for it. Because if you did, and missed it due to wind drift or whatever, you didn't know whether to turn left or right. So you deliberately aimed to one side, hit the coast, then you knew which way to turn for your destination. Simple really; but when the alternative is possible death it pays to stay focused.
I wonder if the chap was on a reciprocal heading?
On a slightly different tack, I remember reading (it may have been Alex Henshaw in 'Flight of the Mew Gull') that if you were crossing sea and trying to find a particular place on the coast, you didn't aim straight for it. Because if you did, and missed it due to wind drift or whatever, you didn't know whether to turn left or right. So you deliberately aimed to one side, hit the coast, then you knew which way to turn for your destination. Simple really; but when the alternative is possible death it pays to stay focused.
Eric Mc said:
The article seems to be hinting that he had a bit of a breakdown and deliberately flew off course.
That's only the author speculating from a modern perspective - 'he must have been under a lot of pressure, therefore he probably went bonkers'. I haven't heard of any other wartime pilots, under equal pressure, suddenly disappearing in the wrong direction. Unfortunately the real answer will never be known.Simpo Two said:
Eric Mc said:
The article seems to be hinting that he had a bit of a breakdown and deliberately flew off course.
That's only the author speculating from a modern perspective - 'he must have been under a lot of pressure, therefore he probably went bonkers'. I haven't heard of any other wartime pilots, under equal pressure, suddenly disappearing in the wrong direction. Unfortunately the real answer will never be known.I read the full article later in the paper version of the The Telegraph and saw that it was written by James Holland. Holland is an excellent World War 2 historian and has written some very good books - both factual and fictional, on World War 2.
No wonder the article had a ring of authenticity.
theconrodkid said:
13/5/2012 02:06 40.758113
map cord,s if you can get them to work.
dont blame me if they dont coi it was in the mail:-)
A quick 'Google Earthing' tells me 40 degrees doesn't work for North Africa, either lat or long.map cord,s if you can get them to work.
dont blame me if they dont coi it was in the mail:-)
On the mystery, there are many instances of pilots simply getting lost over featureless terrain or flying a reciprocal heading. There are no facts to suggest this one was any different or to conclude otherwise. Open verdict.
He was flying with another aircraft and appears to have deliberately veered away. It does not seem to be a case of a lone pilot getting lost. The aircraft had been damaged earlier and was being flown "wheels down" at low level to a repair depot. It was not a case of a tired pilot returning from a mission all alone.
I have read quite a few of Holland's books and some of the documentaries he has hosted on TV and he generally does know what he is talking about.
Funnilly enouigh, one of his novels starts off with a pilot flying a P-40 over North Africa being bounced by some 109s and having to crash land in the desert.
I have read quite a few of Holland's books and some of the documentaries he has hosted on TV and he generally does know what he is talking about.
Funnilly enouigh, one of his novels starts off with a pilot flying a P-40 over North Africa being bounced by some 109s and having to crash land in the desert.
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff