Lancaster wreck near Kingussie Scotland

Has anyone been to this wreck site? I'm interested in the main undercarriage beams in the photo, they are needed for a Lincoln restoration in Aust. Does anyone have better pics? I need to know if the section is intact.

Jindivik said:

Has anyone been to this wreck site? I'm interested in the main undercarriage beams in the photo, they are needed for a Lincoln restoration in Aust. Does anyone have better pics? I need to know if the section is intact.

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Checked my pictures from the late 80's but I don't have a clearer one. First hurdle would be gaining Landowners permission and a Licence from the MOD. Second is that the wreck lies 11 miles North of Kingussie ( and the nearest road) in the mountains and is scattered over a very wide area. The wreckage nearest a track is over 1Km away over moorland bog. The cost of recovery and shipping to Australia would probably cost more than having new ones cast. As the aircraft was involved in a mid air breakup, I doubt there is anything undamaged. Better chance of finding parts in Canada.
Alan.

AL90 said:

Checked my pictures from the late 80's but I don't have a clearer one. First hurdle would be gaining Landowners permission and a Licence from the MOD. Second is that the wreck lies 11 miles North of Kingussie ( and the nearest road) in the mountains and is scattered over a very wide area. The wreckage nearest a track is over 1Km away over moorland bog. The cost of recovery and shipping to Australia would probably cost more than having new ones cast. As the aircraft was involved in a mid air breakup, I doubt there is anything undamaged. Better chance of finding parts in Canada.
Alan.

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I have written to the land owner just waiting on a reply, there is a new access track that is very close to the sections I'm interested in, MOD have withdrawn the licence for recovery for all sites pending an investigation into a private individual who with out permits started to recover a Hurricane wreck and discovered human remains. RAF Waddington held the licence for this site, they have the original records regarding the removal of human remains from the sight, this document is extremely thorough, it states no further remains are on sight, I am waiting on a response from MOD to clarify the status of this site.

Lincoln project in Aust? That really caught my attention. Anyone know exactly where? Never struck me as a hub of esoteric aviation activity but I'm just down the road so might pop over if it's accessible.

Sabrejet said:

Lincoln project in Aust? That really caught my attention. Anyone know exactly where? Never struck me as a hub of esoteric aviation activity but I'm just down the road so might pop over if it's accessible.

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The Lincoln is at the Moorabbin Air Museum in Melbourne Vic, it is an Avro built 694 Lincoln RF342 it is being restored as a GAF Mk 30 variant, we will be re building a full GAF cockpit and nose. It will be a static restoration.
Check the web page aarg.com.au for more details

Jindivik said:

I have written to the land owner just waiting on a reply, there is a new access track that is very close to the sections I'm interested in, MOD have withdrawn the licence for recovery for all sites pending an investigation into a private individual who with out permits started to recover a Hurricane wreck and discovered human remains. RAF Waddington held the licence for this site, they have the original records regarding the removal of human remains from the sight, this document is extremely thorough, it states no further remains are on sight, I am waiting on a response from MOD to clarify the status of this site.

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The MOD Licence is only valid for one year so the Waddington Licence is null and void. We currently have a licence for a buried wreck (non fatal)which has been renewed for a second twelve months and even when we recover the remains they are MOD property until the itemised recovery list is declared and the MoD relinquish interest. Tracks are a varied bag in the highlands, everything from a spring breaker track to a track that will only support a quad bike ( we have had an excavator sink), probably why RAF Waddington used a helicopter to recover parts. Originally, back in the 1980's, the landowner did not want the aircraft touched as he saw it as a memorial which most visitors respected until the location became widely known. When I first visited it was a 22 mile round walk as no vehicle access was granted, there was still snow in early summer and such items as the Pilot's green leather padded seat was still on site and in great condition. Over the years the wreck was plundered for personal gain so I am probably a bit sensitive to more parts being removed. I remember that we did bury some parts in particular a portion of the rear fuselage with the serial PD259 to preserve the identity.
As regards human remains, the RAF Form 551 is no guarantee that remains were fully recovered and may be as vague as to say " multiple injuries due to flying accident" identified by " tags etc". Since the average birth weight was 7.5lb this was deemed to constitute a body during war time. In recoveries, in later years particularly where the aircraft dived into soft ground, large amounts of remains have been recovered. Please respect this site as 6 Australians and 1 RAF crewman died.
Alan