In January 2008, TIGHAR executive director Ric Gillespie, structures engineer Al Baycora, and Texas A&M conservator Peter Fix visited the P-38 site, collected environmental data, and confirmed that the aircraft is completely buried. That’s just what we want. The sand not only hides the wreck from looters and protects it from storm damage, but it returns the aircraft to the relatively anaerobic environment that accounts for its remarkable state of preservation. How long it will remain covered is anybody’s guess, so the TIGHAR delegation met with senior national museum officials around the UK to advocate for the aircraft’s recovery and conservation.

The result of those meetings was a consensus that the Royal Air Force Museum will move forward with planning to recover the aircraft using military assets. The museum’s intention is to conserve the P-38 at the Michael Beetham Conservation Center at RAF Cosford in the English Midlands and eventually exhibit the aircraft in “as found” condition at the main RAF Museum in London.

How soon the RAF Museum is able to put the necessary conservation preparations in place and organize the recovery remains to be seen. TIGHAR will assist in connecting the museum’s conservation staff with needed expertise. Meanwhile, Matt Rimmer will continue to monitor the aircraft’s situation and if it becomes uncovered before the RAF Museum is ready to begin recovery operations, TIGHAR will help provide security. Should the RAF Museum for any reason decide not to proceed with a recovery, TIGHAR will seek alternative solutions to recovering and preserving the aircraft.

However it plays out, TIGHAR is committed to seeing that this rare opportunity is not lost, but advocating for historic aircraft is expensive. Contributions to the Maid of Harlech Memorial Fund go to help cover TIGHAR’s expenses in advocating for the responsible recovery and conservation of Lockheed P-38F 41-7677. If you wish, you can make your donation of $100 or more in the name of any World War II veteran. When the aircraft is recovered, a permanent memorial with the names of the donors and honorees will accompany the P-38 to the accessioning museum.

In the meantime, we’ll send you a handsome Certificate of Recognition acknowledging your support in helping us make sure this priceless relic is preserved for future generations.

To donate to the Maid of Harlech Project, click HERE.

To donate to the Maid of Harlech Project using Paypal, click HERE.