Halifax NA337 2P-X recovery photos

[nosig]

Here are some old photos that I took of the Halifax recovered from Lake Mjøsa, at my hometown Hamar, Norway in 1995. It was in remarkable condition after 50 years on the bottom of the lake, the markings were still clearly visible. The Halifax had dropped supplies to the Norwegian resistance and was on its way back to Britain when it was hit by German flak and the pilot's only option was to ditch it in the lake.

Only one out of 6 crew survived the ditching, Thomas Weightman, air gunner. They even found his thermos where he said he had left it in the plane, still with coffee in it. Cold of course ;-) The plane is now fully restored and on display at the National Air Force Museum of Canada. Linky

I apoligise for the bad quality of the photos, as I had no scanner available and had to take a photo of the photo

[nosig]

I forgot to say that the tail was recovered first, thus it is not in those photos

[Dave Homewood]

Fantastic photos! Thanks for posting. I had never seen photos of the recovery although I followed the restoration and have seen lots of it as it is now. A remarkable restoration.

[nosig]

Thanks Dave! It was quite eerie being there taking the photos. Thomas Weightman was actually brought there and they handed over his thermos flask and his boots. Very touching. They ran an article in the local newspaper about it, but I can't seem to find it online. Probably because this happened when the Internet was just shy of a wink in the public's eye.

Edit: I did find this old article. Might be of interest to you Dave
hedgehoghollow.com/buzz/halifax/phoenix.html

[nuuumannn]

Terrific to see these; thanks very much for sharing them. Despite the chunks missing from it, it looks in remarkable condition. Interesting to see the roundel and letter code still visible.