Hawker Typhoon TP.U
RAF Serial: MN175
198 Squadron
Pilot: F/Sgt. Edward Bartley (killed)
Date: 15th June 1944
Place: Duclair, France

An archaeological dig took place during August 2004 on Hawker Typhoon MN175 TP.U from 198 Squadron, lost on 15 June 1944. The pilot, F/Sgt. Edward Bartley from Heswall in Cheshire was killed, and was flying on only his fourth operational sortie with the squadron, having joined it some nine days earlier. It was shot down by flak near Duclair, France, during a rocket projectile attack.

The Napier Sabre engine was unearthed by French historian Laurent Viton and was found in a burnt state, with the supercharger missing. There was no sign of the aircraft’s three propeller blades, but pieces of armour plating were found, as were parts of the rocket launching rails. Three of the four 20mm cannon, two from the port wing and one from the inner starboard, all complete and looking like new, were recovered; these quickly became subject to a French authority order to destroy them on safety grounds. The excavation was widely covered by French TV and local newspapers to coincide with the 60th anniversary of French Liberation Day.