P-38 Lightning (William Pretrina)
Robert Elliott
The wreck of a World War II-era US fighter plane lies off Wales, where it had remained hidden in the sand for 60 years after crashing.
Now the British International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery wants to restore the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and put it in a museum. It has kept the location of the craft, “The Maid of Harlech,” secret since its discovery in 2007.
“It is one of the most significant WWII-related archaeological discoveries in recent history,” project head Ric Gillespie said.
“Until she can be rescued from the sands of time, her actual location must remain confidential.”
The fighter crashed near Gwynedd after its engines cut out during an exercise. The pilot, Lt. Robert Elliott, walked away unhurt — but would go missing in action three months later in North Africa.