Lancs Aircraft Investigation Room

The Lancashire Aircraft Investigation Team - aims to research and record the aviation heritage of the North West of England and - where appropriate - to recover and preserve associated artefacts. Whilst our research extends back to the earliest days of aviation, during which the region played a prominent role, our primary interest is the air war over the North West of England during World war 2. At this time - the North West flying was largely associated with training of aircrews and aircraft manufacture and maintenance, although it is true that Manchester and Liverpool suffered badly during the German bombing raids. Thus - most of the incidents we research - involves accidents during training or flight-testing of aircraft; though the human cost was none-the-less tragic - nor the memory of their sacrifice any the less important. Wherever possible - we try to ensure that the results of our research - and any finds we uncover - go on public display locally.

As you enter the room – item 1 – on the immediate left is the remains of a North American Mustang P51K Fighter aircraft, Serial Number K-H-8-3-8. This aircraft was transported to the UK - by ship - and re-assembled by Lockheed Aircraft Services - at their Renfrew factory, near Glasgow. On the 15th of February 1945 - it was being flown from Kirkbride - in Cumbria - to Ringway - near Manchester - when it crashed. The pilot - third Officer Albert Edward (Roy) Fairman - an Air Transport Auxiliary - unfortunately died of his injuries after parachuting from the aircraft.

The aircraft crashed into a pond - in the garden of a dwelling in wrightington bar - near Chorley. At the time - the remains were removed for investigation - and no obvious mechanical defects were found – though the engine could not be checked as it was too deep in the clay to remove. The original accident report concluded that the pilot had been carrying out unauthorised aerobatics - and had fallen from his aircraft - whilst inverted.

Our team researched this incident over several years and - in 2008 - an excavation of the crash site took place. The excavation was filmed for the Current affairs TV programme - “Inside out“. The TV research team discovered that Flying officer Fairman was survived by two sisters - who sombrely attended the excavation of their brothers aircraft.

During the excavation – initially only small fragments were found scattered amongst 1940s bottles and household waste - but around 3 feet down - the first major component appeared. A section of armour plating was recovered with the stencilled words North American on one side - and the address of the supplier on the reverse. The next major component was a propeller blade - which you can see here – in very good condition - considering the impact with the ground. Next - the Packard manufactured Merlin Engine was uncovered – again - in extremely good condition and almost intact - with exception of the supercharger and propeller hub. Packard - an American car company - was licensed to build the Rolls Royce Merlin engine to assist with the war effort. The engine starter motor was also recovered and - after some cleaning and lubrication - is still serviceable!

The excavation of the aircraft did not find any evidence that could prove - or disprove - the original report theory. There was – however - evidence that the engine may have been un-powered at the time of impact. If it was rotating - at high speed – on impact – much more damage – to engine and propeller - would be expected.

As you look around the room you will see - various artefacts in the cabinets - which have been recovered locally by our team.

Item 2 is the remains of a World War 2 German bomber aircraft - shot down during the Liverpool blitz by an RAF Boulton-Paul-Defiant night-fighter aircraft - based at Squires Gate. The bomber was Junkers 88 A-5 Werke Number 8-1-3-8, Code B-3+I-N of II Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 54, based in the Normandy region of France.

This is only part of the many items that were recovered during the excavation. There are: numerous skin and frame pieces, both of the aircrafts Junkers JUMO 2-1-1 engines, two propellers, undercarriage legs and a 500 kilogram bomb - which had burnt out in the fire following the crash. The bomb can be seen outside this room – next to a spitfire – and at the recovery site on your device.  Many other artefacts are currently under conservation - ready for future displays. The recovery of this aircrafts crash-site took place in 2017 and was filmed for the History Channel series, WW2 treasure hunters.

Item 3 - in the right-hand corner of the room - is the remains of Boulton Paul Defiant Mark 1 - aircraft N-3-3-2-8. On the 24th of October 1942, it took off for a one-hour ferry flight and was over Barnoldswick during a severe hailstorm. It seems likely - that the pilot lost control of the aircraft - whilst flying on instruments in the clouds - and stalled into the ground. The pilot killed - was 22-year-old Flight Sergeant John Leslie Goulter - from Glen Niven, Queensland, Australia. He is buried in Barrow-in-Furness cemetery, Grave 2-0-1-7. His relatives in Australia still proudly keep his memory alive - and kindly provided our team with copies of his Australian Archive file - and the photograph of him - used here.

The final display – item 4 - shows artefacts recovered from the Ribble estuary where two American bombers collided and crashed - just after take-off from a United States Air Force Base - at Warton - in 1944. The aircraft involved were two A-26-B Invaders; 4-3-2-2-2-9-8 and 4-3-2-2-3-3-6. Despite an immediate rescue attempt – for which the attendees won bravery awards - the crash and fire had killed all 3 airmen in the two planes. In July 2005 – our team - together with members of RAF Millom Museum - took part in the major recovery project - in association with the Channel 4 Television's Time Team.

All projects are carried out without funding – so if you have enjoyed this tour - please feel free to leave a donation in our collection box. Thank you