Hawker Typhoon recovery in The Netherlands

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http://www.destentor.nl/regio/harderwijk/berging-vliegtuigwrak-waterfront-harderwijk-afgerond-1.4739161

"The wreckage of a Hawker Typhoon was found during development work near the waterfront of Harderwijk (The Netherlands). Excavation yielded 48 sections of aircraft, including an undercarriage leg and propeller. Despite a search no human remains were found."

The aircraft in question was Typhoon Ib MN706 of 263 Squadron which was shot down by a flak ship on April 17th, 1945 around 10:45 LT. Pilot F/Lt. N.P.C. Woodward is remembered on the Runnymede memorial.

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Be interesting to see what they do with her

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They usually scrap recovered wreckage.
Cees

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They usually scrap recovered wreckage.
Cees

That's terrible.

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On that day, 263 Sqn carried out 5 operations from B.105 near Lingen, Germany.

During the third operation of the day:-

"The next target was barges at Harderwijk where 14+ were attacked and 8 damaged. A direct hit was also scored with R/P on a shed on the south end of the harbour and a bright red flash was the result. 8 aircraft took part in this operation and during the attack F/Lt. N.P.C. Woodward's aircraft was seen to crash in to the sea approx. half a mile from the harbour. It is believed he was hit by flak which was intense over the area. Although he has been reported as only missing there is very little hope of his having escaped and the Squadron has lost one of its most popular and skilful pilots."

"Crew: S/L M.T. Rumbold, F/Ls. N.P.C. Woodward, G.E. Cassie, P/Os. J.W Shellard, D.E. Morgan, W/Os. H. Barrie, C.A. Bury, P.J. McNinley
Up 10:03 Down 11:25

The target was barges at Harderwijk. 14+ were attacked and 8 damaged. A direct hit with R/P was made on a shed at south end of harbour and a bright red flash was seen. 15+ fishing boats seen in the harbour and 14 at anchor outside harbour at Z.5620. F/Lt. Woodward's aircraft was seen to crash into the sea approx half a mile from the harbour, believed hit by flak and is reported missing. There was intense light 20 mm and 40 mm flak from the target area."

Link to ORB

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The good news is that the recovered parts (prop pieces, undercarriage leg and some aluminium skins) will eventually be on display in a local museum and not scrapped. Unfortunately F/Lt Woodward was not recovered and it is believed that a recovery was attempted after the war, perhaps it was before authorisation was needed :(

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Thanks for the update DaveR. Glad it's not going for scrap and as you say pity about F/LT Woodward's remains.

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Pics are on MN706 with Dicky Harkness in the cockpit while it was with 609 Squadron.