- Contributed by听
- Civic Centre, Bedford
- People in story:听
- Brian Mears
- Location of story:听
- Bedford
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A2726246
- Contributed on:听
- 09 June 2004
About 1945 when I was 16 we somehow learnt that a Mustang fighter aircraft had crashed by the roadside at Wilden. Three of us cycled out and found this aircraft unattended by the side of the road in the hedge. It was engine failure.
We naturally explored the wreck and I obtained an oil filled directional compass about as big as a football. In surrounding fields we found belts of 50 calibre ammunition which we transported home. We found the ends could be removed in a vice and the neonite (graphite coated granules) could be used for rockets when embedded in wax. Some of us polished up the 50 calibres and embelished our front mudguards on biclycles with these empty cartridges! Sometimes our parents found these items and they were somehow disposed of! The compass was dissected and found to be a delicate aluminium construction floating in oil.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo