WWII P-38 fighter found buried on UK beach

Recent conditions that have caused erosion of sand on a beach in Wales have conspired to reveal a WWII-era fighter plane, a P-38 Lockheed Lightning, that lay buried for 65 years.

According to the records, the plane’s serial numbers match that of an aircraft flown by 2nd LT Robert F. “Fred” Elliot during a training mission in September 1942. The reports say that a “fuel supply error” forced him to make an emergency landing. Aiming at the only available place – the beach – he belly-landed in the shallow water, damaging the plane. It couldn’t be flown out so the Army had the guns removed and – according to the records – had the plane salvaged. Obviously, they didn’t.

It’s a tremendous find and it’s in a pretty accessible location. I look forward to hearing more about the recovery.

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