Sunday, 13 May 2012

Lost World War II plane discovered in the Sahara perfectly preserved by 120F heat - Mirror Online

Lost World War II plane discovered in the Sahara perfectly preserved by 120F heat - Mirror Online:

Frozen in time by 120F heat: Lost World War II plane discovered in the Sahara perfectly preserved

Crashed by a luckless British pilot 70 years ago, the Second World War Kittyhawk P-40 plane has only just been foundSome time in 1942, a lone Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk bearing the 260 Squadron “HS” squadron code and the aircraft letter “B” settled down over a wide and remote expanse of North African sand desert called Al Wadi al Jadid
Preserved: The plane at rest in the desertLooking back past the amputated propeller hub, we see severely contorted blades. It seems the landing was made with power onThe nose of the Kittyhawk was the most damaged with the propeller hub having been ripped from the shaft when the prop hit the ground. Looking in we can see the two banks of six cylinders of the Allison engineThe cockpit is in remarkable though dusty condition. Perhaps an experienced Kittyhawk pilot would be able to gain more information about the crash from the settings hereA closer look at the three machine guns in the starboard wing with muzzles filled with sandOver 70 years sand has sifted in through cracks and perhaps from below. Aluminum placards are corroded and the throttle seems to be fully forward
Posted by 7 at 9:49 pm

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