Pride of place for Spitfire recovered from park

Dec 10 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Pride of place for Spitfire recovered from park

A WARTIME Spitfire recovered from a Merseyside park went on display to the public for the first time in New Brighton yesterday, 65 years after the accident that wrecked it.

Enthusiasts and historical experts dug up parts of the plane which locals said caused “quite a bang” when it plummeted out of the Wirral skies in 1942.

About a quarter of the aircraft, including its complete Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, cockpit instrumentation, part of the pilot’s seat, and even the remains of the pilot’s sunglasses, were recovered from an 18ft hole at Birkenhead Park.

It is understood the pilot, Sgt Goudie, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, bailed out after experiencing engine trouble.

The aircraft was excavated earlier this year following two years’ planning.

The organisation has had an established museum at Fort Perch Rock since 1977, with a collection which includes items from many aircraft and 20-plus aircraft engines as part of the Blitz over Merseyside Exhibition.