WIX Archives
Re: What's still in Libya?
Posted by Tony on Sat Oct 20, 2001 09:24:06 AM
In reply top Re: What's still in Libya? posted by Dave on Sat Oct 20, 2001 12:15:32 AM
There is a persistent rumour, of FW190 airframes still extant on a Tunisian Air Base, I believe they were bulldozed onto the dump of the airfield.
It does always seem amazing to me, that in spite of the numbers of aircraft shot down, nothing has ever been found in Tunisia. Mind u, if u go diving in the Cap Bon area, there are airframes galore, but I am not sure of condition, due to salinity etc. The only comparison I can draw, may be with aircraft recovered from Malta, Corsica, Pantelleria etc.
I don't know if they could be made flyable, but, they are there, and from my research, quite a few of them too.
Scuba diving was discouraged/illegal untill 1999, so there is every chance of finding undisturbed P40, P38, Beaufighters, Spitfires, 109's, 190's Ju88's etc. As well as the remains of the famous massacre, where Western Desert Air force Beaus, destroyed a resupply mission of ME323 Gigants off Cap Bon. If anyone has seen the "World at War" then u may remember the Gun Camera film. In the last few seconds, you can see the tip of Cap Bon too.
Also more news on the Blenheim wreck. My contact tells me, the remains are substantial, and in very much the same condition as the original photograph he sent me :0), I will post the new piccies to the forum, as soon as I receive them
Tony
:
: Someone related to me [ mind is a blank who !] that Kermit
: Weeks was aware of some 190s in either Libya or Tunisia -
: but being a Yank there was no way he could get them out.
: Although I would have thought with his resources he could
: manage it somehow - thru a third party.
: Tunisia also is reported to have some goodies . A German c
: hap on the Luftwaffe forum was asking for info on how to g
: et a Ju52 fuselage that was partially buried in a sand dun
: e out . She was discovered by one of the oil exploration o
: utfits. Didn't hear anything further . A lot of stuff came
: down in remote desert areas and with the shifting sands w
: ho knows what is there.
: An ex LRDG truck operated by N.Z.forces was bought out to
: the I.M.M a few years back , and there has been several Pa
: nzers bought out of Tunisia if 'Wheels and Tracks ' are to
: be believed , and I don't see why not !
:
: Dave