From Thetford and Brandon Times
Harling man leads wartime 'detectives'
06 September 2006
AN East Harling man led a team of aviation enthusiasts which has uncovered the remains of a Mosquito aircraft and other wartime artefacts in a field on the perimeter of RAF Coltishall.
Stories of vast dump sites around the base had being doing the rounds for years.
Eyewitnesses remembered vehicles, aircraft parts and Merlin engines being buried there after the war - a practice carried out at bases across the country to dispose of surplus equipment.
In 2000, during the 60th anniversary of RAF Coltishall, items were recovered when a small trench was dug close to the firing range. And when it was announced the base would close in November 2006 it sparked fresh interest.
A group of civilians, led by Malcolm Weale, of East Harling firm Geofizz, and Dennis Morris, of North Walsham, has now unearthed substantial finds.
The discoveries include the main-spar, undercarriage legs and engine parts from a Mosquito, crockery, bottles, footwear and documents.
Local businessman Matthew Williams sponsored a digger for the team which now plans to work on other sites in and around Coltishall.
Mr Weale said: “What happened was the RAF took the Merlin engines out of the planes, took them away, and then set fire to the aircraft and buried them. What we really hope is that the Mosquito could be restored, depending on whether we find enough parts.”
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Just never know what you might dig up.
Robbie
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