Moray schoolboy unearths what looks like a Second World War plane in his backyard
A schoolboy has unearthed what appears to be a Second World War fighter plane in his backyard.
For the past two years Aonghas Hurford has been finding various plane parts buried around the farm where he lives in the Moray village of Pluscarden. Amongst the discoveries made by the 13-year-old are a cockpit and an ejector seat.
Aonghas, who’s a pupil at Elgin High, said: “We can’t say for certain but there’s a possibility there could be more pieces around the fields. I’ve been with a metal detector and a spade and I’ve been digging and searching.”
The most likely explanation is the plane dates from the war years when Moray was home to several other military air bases besides RAF Lossiemouth, which still functions today.
There are currently two theories as to how it ended up at its final resting place. The first, and most obvious, is that it crash-landed with such force that it buried itself.
The second is the plane was buried there on purpose as a way to avoid paying the Americans for it.
Tons of military equipment was transported across the Atlantic during the war with the result that, when the conflict finally ended in 1945, the RAF suddenly found itself with far more planes than it needed.
Under the terms of the deal, the UK was not required to pay for any that had been lost in action.
Therefore, it’s claimed that some planes were secretly buried after they’d first been stripped of any large metal parts with scrap value.
However, intriguing as this second theory might be, the evidence seems to argue against it.
Aonghas has found the pieces of his plane strewn across a wide distance covering about 100 yards. But, if buried on purpose, it’s more likely everything would have been dumped in the same hole.
Either way, it’s a fascinating and highly unusual discovery.
Aonghus’ mum Sharon said: “He loves going out with his metal detector. He’s like a magpie who keeps coming back to the farmhouse with a new discovery.
“He’s found other interesting things as well, such as a musket ball.”
The family, which also includes dad Sam and 10-year old Lachlan, have now approached Morayvia, the military heritage museum in Moray, in the hope of getting some answers about the mysterious plane.
During the war RAF Forres, RAF Milltown and RAF Kinloss all used to stand within a 15-mile radius of Aonghus’ home. Meanwhile, RAF Dalcross, RAF Dyce and RAF Banff were also in the general vicinity.
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