An excavation of a Bolton Paul
Defiant took place in Wiltshire during December 2008. The
Defiant, N3391, from 307 Squadron based at Colerne was on
a night patrol on 24th April 1941 – at the height of
the night Blitz. The Merlin engine began to vibrate badly
and the crew, Sergeant W. Dukszto and Sergeant J. Banys baled
out. pilot's parachute became tangled in the gun barrels of
the turret, he was able to free himself and both landed safely.
The Defiant went into a vertical dive and crashed in a field
near Carlton Musgrave in Wiltshire.
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A most unusual find - one of the propeller blades -
subtly different from Hurricane or Spitfire blades, narrower
and more pointed. |
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The Merlin engine and hub were the deepest finds
and had been driven 3 metres into very hard clay. Most
of Defiant's structure had either been left on the surface
or had been burnt in the fire that followed the crash. |
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The control column in 'as found' condition. Despite
the condition of the wreckage several components from
the cockpit, including the blind flying panel and part
of the main instrument panel were discovered forced
into the back of the engine. |
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Cleaned of its corrosion the Defiant spade grip was
found to be different to the more common Hurricane grip
- the AH2040. This was Dunlop patent AH2075 stick with
a electric gun button drilled in center for cable for
the switch box.
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