She Came Home.... (for T.rex) by debbielove
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Description
Greetings Folks,
There are only two surviving Vickers Wellingtons left in the world..
Now.....
N2980 Is the only surviving Brooklands built example.. She was completed as Mk 1A in 1939 and test flown on the 16th November 1939 by famous Vickers test pilot 'Mutt' Summers, no faults were reported.. She was issued to No 139 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall..
Now, this Wellington is the only example with a wartime record.. She took part in the infamous 'Hiligoland Bight' raid on the 18th Dec 1939, 22 Wellington's were sent on a daytime raid (the RAF still undertook them then) and over half were shot down...
It was this raid that convinced Bomber Command that daylight raids were not worth such losses..
This bomber got home! She competed 47 raids in all when on a training mission on the 31st Dec 1940 she developed engine trouble, all crew bailed out safely but the tail gunners parachute failed to open..
The bomber crash landed in Loch Ness..
1976 : She was found again, and amazingly intact.... When the tail-lights were connected to a modern battery they worked!! The paint you see is original..
45 years plus underwater..
And now she has returned to her home, the place she was built..
Further more, the building that you see is the LAST Vickers Assembly Shed left!! Note the structure shape, looks like a Wellington huh?
Also inside here : A Vickers Vimy, and a Russian recovered Hurricane! :-)
Zoom is on!
Enjoy
Rob
Comments (12)
Kratoonz
Quite a story. Thanks for sharing.
AliceFromLake
Nice story. Very impressive to see the details of this aircraft.
Faemike55
This is so cool wonderful photo and cool history
radioham
It took her along time but it's good that she is home to rest Nice photo
Buffalo1
Really cool pic! The "Wimpy" was one of those WWII mainstays - a start to finish airplane. Are they going to restore her?
jayfar
A fantastic story and love the picture Rob, not often do we get to see the skeleton.
T.Rex
Amazing. The REAL Loch Ness monster, if I may say so? Very good photo. I see the bent propeller blades from the crash. This also gives a VERY good idea of the triangular (= strong) construction of the plane. Even from this angle one can see the very long bomb bay. I'm glad to see her back home where she was built. Will they put plates over the frames where there are none, or will she be left like this so one can look in through the frames? Any idea how it went for the tail gunner? If the plane was low, he could have splashed down and make it. Thanks for the photo and the dedication. Man, I wish I could visit this museum just for the Wellington's sake! Keep up the good work! :-)
Tamarrion
I'm with T.Rex - would love to see this in person! These were tough planes due to that structure. Barnes Wallis (better known for the Upkeep,Tallboy & Grand Slam bombs) is credited for coming up with the geodetic airframe. Great find & photo!
goodoleboy
Stellar photograph! Amazing in its beauty, majesty and history, mate.
RodS
Wow - that's incredibly cool, Rob! Great photo and quite the story of survival for this old warbird! What a beauty!
neiwil
47 raids by Christmas 1940, shows how busy Bomber Command were even early in the war. Great she was returned to her birth place at Brooklands. How cool would it be to see this one fly again......
flavia49
very beautiful