Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

Thanks again
I'll pass your info about the book to my colleague.
Nick, if you live not far from Staplehurst I highly recommend contacting Ted. He is looking for people who can help him with his project.It is a great idea! Unfortunately I cannot help him with his research on a daily basis because of the distance, but local enthusiasts certainly can. If you're interested in aviation I'm pretty sure he'll be able to tell you at least a few stories about local crash sites.
With regards

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

Peter hi,

Yes I'd be interested in that, thank you.

Shall I PM you with my contact details etc?

N

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

Nick, I've attached his contact details a few posts ago;)
Good luck!

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

thanks Peter (oops!)

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

... you have a lot to do over there, guys. Some wreckages are still waiting to see the daylight. A couple of years ago I have promised family of this pilot that one day we can dig out his plane:

http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety...opolnicki.html

Regards

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

Peter

I am afraid that the wreckage of Julian Topolnicki's Hurricane was recovered well over 25 years ago. I was there!

I have a couple of photos of the burning wreckage.

The crash site was at Boyton Court, Sutton Valence, Kent, some five miles or so north of Staplehurst.

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

That's a great news!!!!!
I was told by Ted that this Hurricane is still there. He even took me to the crash site. I'm going to ring him tonight;)

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

It was originally recovered c.1980 by Steve Vizard. I was present.

Later, a further "dig" at the site was undertaken by Malcolm Pettit and the late Al Brown. I do not know what they found, though.

Map Reference is 823493.

Photos of the crash taken on the day show much wreckage on the surface in the orchard where it crashed. I think I recall a layer of sandstone just a few feet below the ground and nothing had penetrated beyond that. What was there was badly burnt and corroded.

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

Andy,
Juliusz Topolnicki, not Julian. This mistake appears quite often.
Yes, I've spoken with Ted last night and he confirmed your info (I understand that you both knew each other) . But he also said that with his knowledge some pieces of this plane are still under the surface. I'm not an expert and my object of interest is located mostly above the grass but I'll need to update my article I've written some time ago about Topolnicki's crash. I have to add your info plus any pictures available (if you kindly will share).
Thanks a lot!

Re: 363rd Fighter Group in Staplehurst
 

It is possible that a few parts may still survive there. However, I suspect there is very little from my knowledge of the site, what was found, the ground conditions etc.