Aviation Archaeology Folklore and Urban Legends

We are firm believers that almost all folklore and urban legend type stories have a kernel of fact. Stories may become exaggerated over the years, but somewhere down the line a genuine incident occurred that spawned the legends and strange tales. We will use this page to record some of the many stories we have heard about crashes, wrecks and disposals of aircraft remains.

Have you heard any stories of lost aircraft like the ones mentioned above? Can you provide further information about the incidents we have listed? email us or visit the Aviation Archaeology Forum.

A lake or gravel pit somewhere in Essex

We have heard this story a few times from several different sources. Some time during world war two, a damaged German bomber ditched into a lake or gravel pit in Essex. The wreck was never salvaged. Depending on the version of the story you hear some, all or none of the crew made it out of the wreck alive. Do any records of this event exist anywhere? Is the aircraft still there?

A mine shaft somewhere in Australia

• The Chillagoe Spitfires, Australia

This is an incredible story if true. Towards the end of world war two (and for reasons that are never explained) three or four Spitfires were packed into boxes and concealed in a mine shaft somewhere in northern Australia. The Australian climate may mean that these aircraft remain in good shape, even after 60 years. Very few Spitfires remain, so if there is any truth to this story the recovery of these aircraft could be of great importance.

Apparently, an episode of the TV show The Bush Tucker Man featured a vast abandoned airfield somewhere in northern Australia where many world war two aircraft wrecks were still present. Does anybody remember this show? Where was the airfield Les Hiddins visited for this episode? Does anybody know where we can get a tape or DVD of the show? Is the 'Spitfires in a mine shaft' story somehow connected to this location?

Giebelstadt Army Airfield (Giebelstadt, Germany)

Rumoured home to a complex of underground aircraft hangers. An American group of aviation enthusiasts are currently involved in a project to locate WWII German aircraft hidden in underground hangers, Gieblestadt Airfield is probably right at the top of their list of places to search.

Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire

Now used for markets and car boot sales, Bovingdon Airfield was used by the American air force during WWII. Rumour has it that at the end of the war the Americans bulldozed a large number of aircraft into pits next to the run way. Bovingdon may have been used as a staging ground for secret recon operations.

See Also

• Battlefield Relic Folklore and Urban Legends

Aviation Archaeology Folklore and Urban Legends

We are firm believers that almost all folklore and urban legend type stories have a kernel of fact. Stories may become exaggerated over the years, but somewhere down the line a genuine incident occurred that spawned the legends and strange tales. We will use this page to record some of the many stories we have heard about crashes, wrecks and disposals of aircraft remains.

Have you heard any stories of lost aircraft like the ones mentioned above? Can you provide further information about the incidents we have listed? email us or visit the Aviation Archaeology Forum.

A lake or gravel pit somewhere in Essex

We have heard this story a few times from several different sources. Some time during world war two, a damaged German bomber ditched into a lake or gravel pit in Essex. The wreck was never salvaged. Depending on the version of the story you hear some, all or none of the crew made it out of the wreck alive. Do any records of this event exist anywhere? Is the aircraft still there?

A mine shaft somewhere in Australia

• The Chillagoe Spitfires, Australia

This is an incredible story if true. Towards the end of world war two (and for reasons that are never explained) three or four Spitfires were packed into boxes and concealed in a mine shaft somewhere in northern Australia. The Australian climate may mean that these aircraft remain in good shape, even after 60 years. Very few Spitfires remain, so if there is any truth to this story the recovery of these aircraft could be of great importance.

Apparently, an episode of the TV show The Bush Tucker Man featured a vast abandoned airfield somewhere in northern Australia where many world war two aircraft wrecks were still present. Does anybody remember this show? Where was the airfield Les Hiddins visited for this episode? Does anybody know where we can get a tape or DVD of the show? Is the 'Spitfires in a mine shaft' story somehow connected to this location?

Giebelstadt Army Airfield (Giebelstadt, Germany)

Rumoured home to a complex of underground aircraft hangers. An American group of aviation enthusiasts are currently involved in a project to locate WWII German aircraft hidden in underground hangers, Gieblestadt Airfield is probably right at the top of their list of places to search.

Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire

Now used for markets and car boot sales, Bovingdon Airfield was used by the American air force during WWII. Rumour has it that at the end of the war the Americans bulldozed a large number of aircraft into pits next to the run way. Bovingdon may have been used as a staging ground for secret recon operations.

See Also

• Battlefield Relic Folklore and Urban Legends