Just back from a very interesting trip up north to find B17-G 43-37667
which crashed on Meltham Moor April 6th 1945 the bomber flying an
engine test from RAF Rattlesden , Suffolk should have just been on a
local flight but one of the crew said about flying up to Manchester and
back but with no flight plan or route and weather knowledge a very poor
call on this day, the bomber arrived over Meltham in poor weather and
failing light desperately trying to get a fix the pilot
left his seat to use the glazed nose to get a better view leaving his
co pilot in control, the Navigator using GEE realizing at the last
moment the closeness of the ground called for a climb the co-pilot
pulled up , striking the moors at a shallow angle the bomber tore up the
moor and burnt out, but by miracle all the crew of 5 survived the crash
though sadly 2 crew had life changing injuries and the pilot passed
away in 1961 due to injury inflicted in the crash.
At the site
today both massive main undercarriage forgings remain with a collection
of skinning and armour plate near by an area of burnt remains and small
parts litter the gully among the rocks.
looking at other pictures
from past years nature has really put in a effort to repair the moor
just wish those who have been digging up here recently could have back
filled the holes
Crew=
2nd Lt R.Parks [co-pilot]
2nd Lt W.Vukelic [Navigator]
Sgt R.Schnug
Sgt R.Woodbeck
2nd Lt W.Johnson [passed away 1961 ]
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