Warbird Information Exchange

Hi All,

I have been away from the site for a while (Sorry Scott) the new set up is top class (once you get use to it

Ok, for my first posting, can anyone tell me more about the A-20 that was recovered from a lake and brought back to the U.K by a couple of brothers, I read an article in Flypast (?) but I think my wife has since thrown the magazine out (women!!).

What is happening with the wreak? are there anymore pictures about showing a better overall shot of what was recovered, having sunk after being landed on the frozen lake I would have thought (hoped) that it would be in very complete condition.

Look forward to your replies.

Will

41-19393 114 Bomber Regiment
15.30 April 2nd 1944 J/Lt Kykyushin (pilot) took off from Salmiyarvy Will .. here are abbreviated details.

Air Station near Murmansk. Patrol with eight Bell P-39's as escort. Returning tobase shot down by two Bf109's.
Force landed on the frozen surface of Lake Memekyavr with wounded crewman Sgt Vovronov injured. Rescued the next day. A20 went through the ice , but unfortunately not before the center section was burned out.
Recoverd parts include a very nice tail, many interesting parts from the wings , the nose and forward fuselage. Now with the Hunt brothers in the U.K. who have other substantial sections recovered from the Far East of Russia .....time for an example to be displayed in the U.K. me thinks ! You may have read in the latest Classic Wings that two examples are to be restored to fly down this way [ ex PNG airframes ]

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the Intel on the wreak, totally agree that there should be an A-20 on show in the U.K, well over due.

I remember I once spoke to a nice chap who worked for the Aussi Airforce Museum about two spare A-20 project they had in store for trade, this is going back a couple of years or more.

I received a list of airframes that they were looking for, there was one for a Sopwith Camel I think. I received pictures of the A-20's and they were in good condition, I was at a loss as to why non of the U.K museums wanted to do a deal for one (sometimes this country confuses the hell out of me).

Are the aircraft you speak about being returned to airworthy condition these airframes? or are they new / old recoveries from PNG? Well I take my hat off to the lads and lasses down under, they are showing the world what they can do, and putting a lot of people to shame (don't get me going on the Hendon Hali).

Thanks again Dave.

Will

I stand to be corrected, but the two A-20s are the spare airframes you would have seen [ I believe 'Big Nig' is one of them ].

Dave

Yes there will be three at Precision Aerospace.
Should be fun.
Mick

I will post some picks when the A-20's arive and if i can work out how to do it.
The wing jiggs are under way there will be three sets,Big Nig and two others not sure about the BU's yet.
All flyers.
Mick

Hi Lads,

Top notch replies, I had a feeling that the airframes sounded like the same ones, as long as they are out of storage and a restoration (of any kind) is being carried out.

Please post pictures when you can, Scott, I am sure would gladly help with your posting of them.

Again lads, many thanks for your replies and intel on the A-20's, anyone know anymore about the U.K bird?

Kind regards,

Will Fowler