Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 44-6005 coded XK-D or 44-8639?

Fortress: Craig Cwm-Llwyd
Originally uploaded by wreckhunter

This unusual stainless steel plaque is reportedly affixed to the wall at the point where an engine rolling down the hill from the crash of a Flying Fortress demolished it.

A number of enthusiast's books gave this site as that of Fortress 44-6005, but we understand that most people now think this is where 44-8639 crashed. (Or is it the other way round?)

The plaque seems to keep out of the controversy over the plane's identity by not giving the aircraft a number.

Location:SH 64343 12395

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 44-6005 coded XK-D or 44-8639?

Fortress: Craig Cwm-Llwyd
Originally uploaded by wreckhunter

A home-made memorial and scatter of formerly molten aluminium at the crash site. It seems this plea might have come too late, there's nothing there now longer than around 150mm.

We think the memorial was made by Matt Rimmer, a local champion of wreck site preservation, who was responsible for clearing up the mystery of which aircraft crashed here, in the opinion of Edward Doylerush amongst others.

More info

Cwm Silyn : Henley L3334 and Ansons MG111 and N9562

Cwm Silyn Henley and Ansons
Originally uploaded by wreckhunter

We went up around Cwm Silyn yesterday, looking for the wreckage of the Henley and two Ansons (MG111 and N9562) reputedly in the area.

The Henley was a development of Hawker's successful Hurricane, but even crappier than the Botha and Defiant recently featured. It wasn't even a good target tug, with the engine frequently failing in service.

Like everyone else, we found the Henley, but not the Ansons, one of which is was supposedly lost around the point this pic was taken from. A cursory metal detector search of this area turned up nothing.

The high heather (especially in the area around the Henley crash site) hides holes up to 8 feet deep. The scree is slippery and unstable when wet, and has sharp edges.

If you are thinking of a visit, we suggest you do not go in 40mph winds and driving rain as we did. This was the hardest four mile walk we have done in a long time.