'What have you done with my plane, boys?' USAAF Spitfire dig in Wiltshire

PublishedJanuary 20, 2026

Supermarine Spitfire Vb
RAF Serial: BM540
12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron /67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group USAAF
Pilot: 2/Lt. Robert Humphrey (survived)
Date: 6th November 1943
Place: Knook, near Codford, Wiltshire

The shattered remains of a Spitfire were recovered from a field at Codford, Wiltshire. The plane was piloted by an American, 2nd Lt. Robert Humphrey of the USAAF, who took off at 2.15pm on 6th November 1943 on a test flight. He climbed to 7,000ft, and as he began a series of steep turns, he noted engine problems. After increasing and decreasing speed in an attempt to correct the problem, the engine cut out completely. Lt. Humphrey, fearing an internal glycol leak and the consequent danger of fire, abandoned the aircraft and survived.

Spitfire BM540, closest to camera, in previous service with 303 Polish Squadron.

The event was witnessed by two local brothers who heard the Spitfire overhead and heard the engine spluttering before diving towards the ground. As it became vertical the engine fired again and accelerated it into the ground at high speed. On arriving at the scene they were met by the pilot who looked at the crater and asked “what have you done with my plane, boys?” The eyewitness described the scene of the crash as “like a shell burst” with a smoking crater but no recognizable aircraft remains. The boys were later interviewed by the accident investigation team who asked them to describe what they had witnessed with the aid of a recognition model Spitfire.

**Mr David Williams and his Brother. Eyewitnesses to the crash**, **who met the pilot at the crater.**

The Spitfire concerned was a Mark Vb aircraft built by Vickers Armstrong at Castle Bromwich. It served with 303 and 164 Squadrons in the RAF. On 28^th June 1943 it was transferred to the United States Army Airforce who at that time lacked sufficient numbers and quality of home produced fighter aircraft to fight an effective war in Europe. BM540 Served with the12th Squadron, 67^th Reconnaissance Group of the 9^th Airforce, flying from Base 466, Membury, Berks.

On 6^th November 1943 BM540 was being flown by 2^nd Lt Robert P Humphrey, an American who had enlisted in the RAF before America’s entry into the war and had transferred to the USAAF in November 1942. He encountered engine problems at 7000 feet and abandoned the Spitfire when the engine cut out. After making a successful parachute descent he landed near his aircraft.

The US investigation into the accident suggested pilot error in deciding to abandon the Spitfire rather than attempt a forced landing. Three previous accidents in which 2^nd Lt Humphreys had been involved were also cited. He was temporarily suspended from flying.

The aircraft was recovered on 10th September 2005. A somewhat ‘portable’ Merlin engine, prop boss and spar remains were found.

The outline of the Spitfire as defined by detector readings. It had dived vertically into the ground at full power after the engine restarted

The much reduced Merlin engine.

Rear drive cog of the reduction gear emerges from the chalk.

Vertical hole made by a cannon barrel.

DeHavilland prop boss.

Propeller weight, top left, header tank armour, fuel filler cap surround, left, instrument panel part, tie down tube covers, seat back bracket, ammeter face.

Magneto switches from the instrument panel

Cockpit door latch, now flying in a restored Spitfire.

Robert survived the war, and married Maryann in 1946. Did he offer Marlon Brando style tips? He took over the family manufacturing business, from which his son recently retired as manager. He was presented with a model of his dad’s Spitfire, displayed with a recovered fragment, on his leaving day.