Your Route to Real News

Inside eerie airplane graveyard as collection of military planes left to rot

945     0
Inside eerie airplane graveyard as collection of military planes left to rot
Inside eerie airplane graveyard as collection of military planes left to rot

RUSTING aircraft lie covered in moss and fading paintwork at an eerie plane graveyard.

These are the carcasses of fighter jets that once ruled the skies in some of Britain's fiercest aerial battles.

Among the grounded squadron is a Gloster Meteor, the first and only Allies' fighter jet to see action in WWII eiqrqidzqiduprw
Among the grounded squadron is a Gloster Meteor, the first and only Allies' fighter jet to see action in WWIICredit: Caters
A De Havilland Vampire is eaten by brambles at the graveyard in Worcestershire
A De Havilland Vampire is eaten by brambles at the graveyard in WorcestershireCredit: Caters
A Hunting Jet Provost sits dormant in the Cotswold field
A Hunting Jet Provost sits dormant in the Cotswold fieldCredit: Caters

Among the grounded squadron is a Gloster Meteor, the first and only Allied fighter jet to see action in WWII.

They blasted Hermann Göring's German Luftwaffe out the sky during relentless airborne tussles with the rival Messerschmitt Me 262.

The Cotswold plane graveyard, in Birlingham, near Pershore, Worcs., also features a De Havilland Vampire.

Brighton beach evacuated as bomb squad blow up 'World War 2 shell' near pierBrighton beach evacuated as bomb squad blow up 'World War 2 shell' near pier

This was the second jet fighter to be used by the RAF and had a top speed exceeding 500mph.

It was developed during WWII and is immediately identifiable through its twin boom configuration.

A Hawker Hunter - which boasts a Rolls Royce engine - is another of the planes slowly being reclaimed by nature.

The British-made aircraft is considered one of the most successful jets ever produced by Hawker and was exported to 21 other countries.

Nearly 2,000 were produced from 1951 and the 730mph jet saw active service in the Aden and Malayan Emergency.

Incredibly, the Hawker Hunter was still in active service with the Lebanese Air Force, until 2014, according to BAE Systems.

The other dormant craft slowly being reclaimed by nature include a Hunting Jet Provost training aircraft and a Hawker Seahawk.

Margaret Flo McEwan, 58, who had permission to capture the private collection, said she'd like to see the planes restored to their former glory.

The military history nut, from Berkshire, said: "The planes have been here for many years.

"Aviation enthusiasts would love to see them restored to their former glory, but their owner has chosen to leave them untouched.

Vital to celebrate Windrush pioneers, says Lenny Henry ahead of 75th anniversaryVital to celebrate Windrush pioneers, says Lenny Henry ahead of 75th anniversary

"They seem destined to be reclaimed by nature."

The Gloster Meteor blasted Hermann Göring's German Luftwaffe out the sky above Southern England during the Battle of Britain
The Gloster Meteor blasted Hermann Göring's German Luftwaffe out the sky above Southern England during the Battle of BritainCredit: Caters
The eerie graveyard was captured by history nut Flo McEwan in July
The eerie graveyard was captured by history nut Flo McEwan in JulyCredit: Caters
The other dormant craft slowly being reclaimed by nature include a Hunting Jet Provost training aircraft and a Hawker Seahawk
The other dormant craft slowly being reclaimed by nature include a Hunting Jet Provost training aircraft and a Hawker SeahawkCredit: Caters
A moss-covered cockpit lies empty at the eerie overgrown plane graveyard
A moss-covered cockpit lies empty at the eerie overgrown plane graveyardCredit: Caters
A vast red plane sits among wildflowers as it fades into history
A vast red plane sits among wildflowers as it fades into historyCredit: Caters
The aircraft should be restored to their former glory, photographer Flo McEwan says
The aircraft should be restored to their former glory, photographer Flo McEwan saysCredit: Caters

Tom Hussey

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus