2022 and 23 Hampden video collection - unedited footage from the original and follow up dives.

I'll do a better version this repeats several times because I've done s circuit of the plane each time I've been. Conditions vary too. I think there's one good version in here somewhere ;-)

[@norfolkwreckresearchpaulhe7945]

Great footage Rob and Dawn.There is a lot more of the aircraft exposed than I had imagined.

[@MarkMandale]

Hi Rob/Dawn, I just wanted to pass on my thanks to you both for the footage of Hampden P2123. My grandfather was on this aircraft Sgt John James (Jimmy) Mandale, It's the one story that has been repeated several times about his time in the RAF in World War II.
As you may know we have his log book with entry for that night. We also found the story in the book Through Footless Halls of Air as told by another crew member Sgt Harry Logan.
I'd already discovered parts from one of the engines was in the Norfolk and Suffolk Air museum.
So to discover the pictures and to now see the aircraft in this video is truly amazing.
Thank you once again!

[@reallymadrob]

Hi Mark, thanks for commenting. The story makes the dives feel much more significant and adds depth to the experience of visiting the plane your grandfather flew 80 years ago. I think the logbook and story help people understand how much was asked of young men during the war. The account of ditching simply being just another entry in the log is very striking!
The plane is very distinctive and I had high hopes that it could be traced. Although it was clearly a plane I wasn't familiar with the Hampden but the unusual shape and characteristic construction tallied perfectly with Paul's records. There are quite a few mysterious bits around the the coast so I was really pleased to help add something to the recorded history of the coast.
I'm really glad this has been interesting for you and your family. That's made the all the time swimming around very worthwhile 🙂
Rob

[@MarkMandale]

He was lower-mid gunner for this mission so he would have been sat in the turret underneath the aircraft towards the rear of the main fuselage. They ditched all the guns and ammo once they reached the coast on the way back to try and save fuel.
Apparently when they ditched it fully submerged before popping back up to the surface - probably because of the air in the fuel tanks (which I believe you can see on the video).
What they didn't know when they rowed/swam to shore was they were about to head straight into a minefield. They were shouted at from the shore and swam further up the beach to safety.
The story made one of the newspapers at the time, I've looked but failed to find any evidence of it in online archives.
It does feel like the story is now complete thanks to you guys. I know my dad and family are pleased it's been found.
Thanks once again!