Aran Fawddwy and Creiglyn Dyfi

Aran Fawddwy and Creiglyn Dyfi
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig

A day out with Matt ZX yesterday to look at the much pillaged wreck sites of the Beaufighter and Thunderbolt above Creiglyn Dyfi, at the foot of Aran Fawddwy.

This photo doesn't really do justice to the scale of the scenery, or how bright the day was, but both Mick and Matt took some good photos on the day. The Thunderbolt photos on here are from Matt, as Mick's camera packed up. Cheers Matt!

It was a really nice day for a walk, and all bits were found without resorting to the GPS for navigation. Locations were however marked with the GPSr, in the interests of accuracy.

I could go on at some length about the serial looting of these two sites by "farmers", wreckologists, and other magpies, despite no licence to excavate ever being granted AFAIK. I'm not sure however whether I will bother.

Perhaps someone would like to offer comments on just how badly and pointlessly these sites have been illegally cleared?

Bristol Beaufighter TF.X RD210

Beaufighter TF.X RD210
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

Highest "oleo strut" undercarriage component found within the gully above the buttress

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Bristol Beaufighter TF.X RD210

Beaufighter TF.X RD210
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

The lowest undercarriage component we found. A little reminiscent of the Blenheim bits on Electric Mountain.

Location: SH 86537 22642

Bristol Beaufighter TF.X RD210

Beaufighter TF.X RD210
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

The lowest bit of Beaufighter wreckage we found

Location: SH 86686 22763

Republic P-47 C Thunderbolt 41-6246 HL-F

P 47 Thunderbolt 41-6246 Creiglyn Dyfi
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig

Identifying stamps and serial numbers ("961031-A") showing that this is from the Thunderbolt wreck (though this is disputed- follow the link if you want to join in), rather than from the nearby Beaufighter .

This is from the largest collection of bits found, down by the side of the lake.

There is definitely more we did not find, as we were led astray by the next find. We will (as ever) be back to finish up.

Location: SH 86670 22403

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Republic P-47 C Thunderbolt 41-6246 HL-F

P 47 Thunderbolt 41-6246 Creiglyn Dyfi
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig

This fragment of a "Warner Aircraft Corp." brake control unit from the 1944 fatal crash site of this USAF Thunderbolt turned out to be a bit of a red herring.

Finding it high on the hill as we did convinced us we had found a rather sparse wreckage trail, rather than the very edge of the scatter.

Even more confusingly, we found a bit of Mosquito mixed in with this "wreckage trail"

It has been suggested that this is the last labelled part at any high ground wreck site in the UK not already nicked by the magpies. On your marks, lads...

Location: SH 86524 22379

Aran Fawddwy

Thunderbolt?: Aran Fawddwy
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

We went to Aran Fawddwy in Southern Snowdonia yesterday, mainly to see the Merlin Engine and assorted wreckage from a Mosquito, but also to investigate the Thunderbolt and Beaufighter wrecks we had heard were on the same mountain. We understand now that there is a fourth 'plane on Aran Fawddwy, A P-51D Mustang (44-726844), but we have no idea of its location.

Visibility was very poor on top, and the closest we came to finding the Beaufighter or Thunderbolt wrecks was this possible crude memorial at the Thunderbolt 41-6246 location given in High Ground Wrecks.

We found quite a bit of the Mosquito though...

Location: SH 86197 22221

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DeHavilland Mosquito Mk. IX LR412

Mosquito: Aran Fawddwy
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

We found quite a collection of wreckage at this location, far more than we have seen a a Mosquito site before. The lack of wreckage at a typical Mosquito crash site may have something to do the the Mosquito's predominantly wooden construction.

Location: SH 85660 21485

More info: nothing on the 'net