Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Sundowner on June 01, 2004, 04:46:22 PM

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: Sundowner on June 01, 2004, 04:46:22 PM

LONDON, England (AP) -- Archaeologists say that they have unearthed parts of a World War II fighter plane that crashed after downing a German bomber near Buckingham Palace.

Archaeologist Christopher Bennett said the plane's engine and control panel were located late Sunday during excavations in Buckingham Palace Road in the center of the capital.

The Battle of Britain was raging over the skies of London when pilot Ray Holmes spotted the German Dornier bomber on September 15, 1940.

Historians believe the German plane may have been on a mission to destroy Buckingham Palace.

Holmes had run out of ammunition so he flew his Hurricane directly into the German plane.

He managed to use his aircraft to slice off the bomber's tail and parachuted out of his plane before it hit Buckingham Palace Road. The Dornier plunged into part of Victoria Station.

Holmes's plane, which hit the ground at around 350 miles an hour (560 kph), was largely buried under a water main and never recovered. The road was later paved over.

Holmes, 89, was present as the engine was lifted to ground level.....


Full Story:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/06/01/london.plane.ap/index.html

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: Toad on June 01, 2004, 05:06:33 PM

Hoorah for Holmes! Great that he could be there.

Title: Re: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: Sandman on June 01, 2004, 05:19:58 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Sundowner

Holmes had run out of ammunition so he flew his Hurricane directly into the German plane.

Hmmm... this tactic is generally frowned upon in the MA. ;)

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: Toad on June 01, 2004, 05:22:17 PM

Well, there's also this rumor Holmes used auto takeoff for that mission.

Still, a brave chap.

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: Sandman on June 01, 2004, 05:39:08 PM

No argument. :)

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: midnight Target on June 01, 2004, 05:41:28 PM

Watched this on TV Monday. Very cool story. They are trying to get him a decoration for his actions. Amazing that he was never recognized for this at the time.

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: rpm on June 02, 2004, 01:06:38 AM

Much overdue. I believe the Queen should Knight him. That was clearly above and beyond.

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: SOB on June 02, 2004, 01:29:30 AM

Wow, that's a great story, and he didn't receive any kind of commendation?  Or did the story just not mention it?

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: beet1e on June 02, 2004, 02:42:49 AM

I saw Ray Holmes interviewed on BBCtv about a year or two ago.

He said he regretted having to ram the Dornier, but added that it was necessary in order to provide an accurate assessment of the collision code and damage model.

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: Furball on June 02, 2004, 03:44:53 AM

i just cant believe they are giving the remains to the Imperial War Museum.  When the Hurricane flew from RAF Hendon - which is now the site of the Royal Air Force Museum and have the rudder section of the crashed dornier.

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: Toad on June 02, 2004, 09:04:47 AM

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO YAH!

It need to be in the Hendon BOB exhibit! With a Madame Tussaud's Holmes in flight gear standing next to it!

Title: WWII fighter dug up in London
Post by: Maverick on June 02, 2004, 09:57:57 AM

What??? No post yet about how the poor nazi's were the underdog here?!?! :rolleyes: