During the recent storms, a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft, presumed to be USAAF serial number 41-7677, emerged from the sand on a beach in Wales where it crash landed in 1942. The aircraft, largely intact and remarkably free of corrosion, is one of the most significant WWII-related archaeological discoveries in recent history.
The aeroplane’s last flight was on September 27th 1942 when the pilot, Lt. Elliott, departed an airfield on the North Wales Coast. As was standard procedure in the P-38, he took off using the reserve fuel tanks but forgot to switch to the main tanks after takeoff. Fifty-five minutes into the mission, the left engine lost power. Lt. Elliot misidentified the problem as propeller trouble and returned to the airfield intending to land. However, when he was two miles out and at 800 feet, the right engine quit. Unable to glide to the runway, he turned for the shore but didn’t make it and ended up landing in about two feet of water.
Lieutenant Elliott survived the crash unharmed. An Aircraft Accident Classification Committee of three officers found the cause of the mishap to be fuel exhaustion due to Lt. Elliott’s “carelessness.” The war came to an end and the aircraft was forgotten about until it was discovered recently by a walker on the beach.
As part of the efforts to salvage this vital piece of history, the Team at Skyonix were called upon to conduct an aerial survey of the aircraft and provide detailed images together with a photogrammetric 3D model of the wreck.
This was achieved using the SkyLift 800 UAV fitted with a 16MP camera. A complete series of high resolution images were obtained which have provided the most detailed record yet of this unique archaeological find.
The aircraft lies some considerable distance from the main access points on a stretch of coastline close to Harlech although the exact location remains secret to prevent looting and disturbance to the site.
To provide further documentation of the efforts of the Survey Team, Skyonix produced a short video of the work being carried out.
This was filmed by a second UAV from Skyonix's ACE range of portable aerial camera equipment.
For more information, contact Skyonix Press Office
One of the nicest word press sites I've seen.... 
Comment