解説Handley Page Halifax II ‘W1048 - TL-S’ (32434419033).jpg
Built 1942 and initially delivered to 102sqn at Topcliffe on 27th March. Transferred to Linton-on-Ouse based 35sqn on 9th April. Flown to Kinloss 23rd April in preparation for raid against the Tirpitz battleship.
Departed Kinloss on first operational flight on 27th April, but did not return. During her attack on the Tirpitz, she was hit by flak and the starboard outer engine, fuel tanks and wing were set alight. The pilot landed the aircraft wheels-up on the frozen Lake Hoklingen, Norway. The crew escaped, all but one reaching Sweden and returning to the UK. The aircraft sank through the ice within 12hours.
Some 29 years later, the wreck was found and identified. She was raised on 30th June 1973 and by the end of August was safely at RAF Henlow. It was decided to display the aircraft largely unrestored, a good decision in my opinion as it remains in very original condition, and arrived at Hendon 1982 to feature in the new Bomber Command Hall where she remains on display today.
RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK