WW2 Plane found in Egyptian Desert - Seventy Years Later
- 12 years ago
A twenty-four year old British pilot was flying an RAF Kittyhawk P-40 to a base to be repaired in June 1942. The RAF's Egyptian 260 Squadron was trying to get the American-built plane back in fighting condition in the run-up to the pivotal Battle of El Alamein.
A fellow pilot flying near by saw Flight Sergeant Dennis Copping veer off course. The young pilot appeared disoriented during the flight and headed in the wrong direction. The RAF pilot flying nearby said he "tried all sorts of things to get his attention, but Copping bizarrely ignored a series of warnings." The squadron flew on losing sight of Copping's plane. The plane did not have enough fuel to return to base. Copping was never heard from again.
In March 2012 an oil worker with a team discovered the RAF Kittyhawk Copping was flying. The parachute was nearby and may have been spread out as a signal. The radio and battery were outside the plane indicating that Copping may have tried to send messages for help. His skeleton was not found near by, so he may have tried to walk out of the desert. Because of the dry desert conditions the plane is remarkably well preserved. The British authorities are hoping Egypt lets them reclaim the plane and put it in the RAF Museum in Hendon, North London in the UK. Egyptians removed the ammunition and guns saying it could still pose a danger. A search for Copping's remains will be made, but there is little hope of finding them in the vast desert after seventy years. Requiescat in pace et in amore.
A fellow pilot flying near by saw Flight Sergeant Dennis Copping veer off course. The young pilot appeared disoriented during the flight and headed in the wrong direction. The RAF pilot flying nearby said he "tried all sorts of things to get his attention, but Copping bizarrely ignored a series of warnings." The squadron flew on losing sight of Copping's plane. The plane did not have enough fuel to return to base. Copping was never heard from again.
In March 2012 an oil worker with a team discovered the RAF Kittyhawk Copping was flying. The parachute was nearby and may have been spread out as a signal. The radio and battery were outside the plane indicating that Copping may have tried to send messages for help. His skeleton was not found near by, so he may have tried to walk out of the desert. Because of the dry desert conditions the plane is remarkably well preserved. The British authorities are hoping Egypt lets them reclaim the plane and put it in the RAF Museum in Hendon, North London in the UK. Egyptians removed the ammunition and guns saying it could still pose a danger. A search for Copping's remains will be made, but there is little hope of finding them in the vast desert after seventy years. Requiescat in pace et in amore.