British WW II fighter plane found in Egypt desert
The Kittyhawk P-40 was discovered "almost intact" some weeks ago during a mining exploration in Egypt's western desert, the British embassy's Defence Attache Captain Paul Collins told AFP.
The plane's pilot, presumed to be Flight Sergeant Denis Copping, made a "fairly flawless emergency landing" in June 1942, Collins said.
The conditions in the desert, with no liquid and regular winds blowing, means the plane was left "almost intact, in an amazing piece of preservation," he said.
Britain is now in talks with the Egyptian army over whether the plane, which lies in a military zone, can be moved.
The pilot, Copping, is believed to have gotten lost, taken the radio out and walked away, but no trace of the bound has been found.
"His family probably exists somewhere, we need to solve that problem. We need to record it properly," said Collins.
Egypt's western desert was the scene of several key battles during World War II.
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One of my American friend rightly said, "will there be a day when I will open my eyes and I will be told that the world war 2 has finally ended?".
@baba:
Dont be silly, its not under the sand. Check this :
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/11/world-war-ii-airplane-kittyhawk-p-40-sahara-crash-photos-videon1507828.html
The Kittyhawk P-40 was discovered “almost intact” some weeks ago during a mining exploration in Egypt’s western desert, the British embassy’s Defence Attache Captain Paul Collins told AFP.
Everything that Britishers make remains intact and lasts for decades and centuries,be it airplanes or all the bridges and buildings constructed in the Subcontinent during their era.
I always wondered watching WWII movies that what happens to a pilot when his plane is shot down and fall behind some den.
Its under the sand.
Where is the P40 in the picture? All I see is a mountain.