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Legends, myths and warbirds

The internet is full of them, aviation enthusiasts talk about them and the experts laugh at them, but even so, legends, myths and mysteries concerning old aeroplanes possibly hidden somewhere are highly interesting. And better yet, very fun!

While browsing online forums dedicated to aviation and warbirds, you may come across many interesting stories and tales. “Someone told a friend of a friend of mine…” and so a rumour is born. Most of these stories may not be true, but then again, some may be! Many discoveries of warbirds originated with a rumour or a myth somewhere. Some of these past rumours and myths can now be seen in the air.

Messerschmitt 109 down!

Early April 1940. Norway is invaded and the Germans make their way into the country fast and effective. Resistance is scarce but troublesome when met upon. The story about a Messerschmitt 109 possibly somewhere in Norway’s (Mjøsa) biggest lake starts here.

The rumour has it that a Me109 was flying over the mountain tops of Totenåsen very close to the lake. Norwegians on the ground observes the plane from the mountain tops and open fire. They see several hits and the plane starts to pour smoke while going down in direction of the lake. If they did see it hit the water or not is not known but there is quite possibly a Messerschmitt 109 somewhere deep down in lake Mjøsa with the pilot still inside.

In 1995 a Halifax was brought up from the depths of lake Mjøsa. One of the few surviving members was at the site and could pick up his coffee thermos, still with coffee inside! The Halifax is now restored and on display in Canada.

Australian crated Spitfires?

Another rumour has it that there’s boxed Spitfires put down in mine shafts in Australia. They were put there in case of a Japanese invasion as some form of backup. If there’s any truth to this story nobody really knows, but weirder things have happened! Not long ago a barn full of old cars from the 30’s up to the 50’s found in France. The previous owner had died and the new owner of the estate was about to tear the barn down when he discovered all the priceless cars there. So, sometimes a rumour comes true! And for the Australian Spitfires, supposedly a guy was looking for them back in the 70’s. Maybe he’s still looking?

Halifax in China?

How about Halifax bombers in China, supposedly in good condition or five Hawker Typhoons buried in a pit at Ashton Down still sitting on their wheels? Or maybe the Brewster Buffalo buried in Burma, dug up in the 60’s and then dug down again? Is it all myths and legends? Remember, P-38 Lightning “Glacier Girl” is now flying. Dug up from the Greenland ice and restored to flying condition. Together with “Glacier Girl”, a whole formation of P-38’s and two B-17’s landed on the ice. They are still there, someone just needs to find them and finance a rather expensive dig out!

Spitfires in Syria?

There might be Spitfire 14’s parked in Syria still. If they can be found or if they even exist nobody knows, but with the opening of Iraq as a semi-free country, long forgotten aircrafts might be discovered. Together with the dry environment the planes might not be all destroyed by mother nature either. And if the Syrian Spitfires exist I would say that is good enough for a short invasion to “rescue” those poor Spitfires! Even so, I advise everyone to use Google Earth and cover all of Syria. Look for anything that resembles a Spitfire!

Black Widow buried!

Another rumour is the P-61 Black Widow supposedly buried at Scorton in Yorkshire. The squadron was about to depart the airfield on D-Day and a Black Widow crashed on take off. Since most of the equipment and crews were already on the move and little to work with, they dug a big whole and buried right there. Myth or fact? No one knows!