"Over-exposed" B29 Superfortress Crash site, Glossop, Derbyshire, November 2016

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HughieD

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"Over-exposed" B29 Superfortress Crash site, Glossop, Derbyshire, November 2016

1. The History

Boeing B29 Superfortress of the 16th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, USAF, crashed at Higher Shelf Stones near Glossop at approximately 11am on 3rd November 1948. Nick-named ‘Over Exposed‘, it got its name from when it was being used by 509th Composite Group to photograph atomic weapon tests for Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll two years previously in 1946.

25289483749_243985e2a2.jpgOverexposed by HughieDW, on Flickr

Its thirteen-strong crew perished that night. The crew had completed their tour of duty and would have returned back to the States three days later.

30808581392_0a67dd0aaa_b.jpgB29 picture by HughieDW, on Flickr

It was en route from RAF Scampton near Lincoln to USFA Burtonwood, near Warrington carrying mail and the payroll for American service personnel - a flight of less than one hour. England was covered with low cloud that day and the flight was to be conducted on instruments. Having flown for the time the crew believed it should have taken them to cross the hill they started to descend. Unfortunately the aircraft had not quite passed the hills and struck the ground near Higher Shelf Stones and was destroyed by fire.

The aircraft was reported missing and the local authorities and nearby RAF Mountain Rescue Service team were put on alert. At the time the MRS team were on a training exercise in the Kinder Scout area about three miles away. They made their way as quickly as possible to the southern side of Bleaklow to begin a search for the crash site. Arriving at the crash site at around 16:30 they discovered that there were no survivors and with the light fading fast left the recovery of the crew until the following morning. The bodies were recovered from 200-yard long debris trail along with a $7,400 pay-satchel the plane was carrying. After the crash investigation teams had finished the tail fin which still stood up-right was destroyed as it could be seen for miles around and was attracting too many sightseers.

Souvenir hunters and the elements have taken their toll on the wreckage over time. A gun turret was removed at the MOD’s permission and is now in the air museum at Newark. Despite all this the remaining wreckage is still very extensive. Incredibly, a man from nearby Hadfield found a wedding ring at the crash site in the 70’s which turned out to be Capt Tanner’s ring which was then duly returned to his daughter.

2. The Explore

This place has been on my radar for a while now. Shatner’s recent excellent report on here reminded me I needed to see this place. And of all days, 11th November seemed quite a poignant day to make the trip. Hence me and non-member Gazza M set off along the Snake Pass. We parked up and headed along the Pennine Way. On the whole the walk is OK but gets harder when you have to veer off the main path to the west to get to the site. It’s well worth the effort though. It’s a strange place as it is very wild and incredibly peaceful – in sharp contrast to the aeroplane crashed. It was cold and snow on the ground in places. Fortunately, though, the sun decided to show itself. Definitely worth the effort this one..

3. The Pictures:

22745548378_649fabc7b0_b.jpgimg8325 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30622504880_c61797dec6_b.jpgimg8323 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30622538910_cd5d5b6038_b.jpgimg8321 by HughieDW, on Flickr

22745644508_0c1488fe29_b.jpgimg8318 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30923767925_55c45270cf_b.jpgimg8317 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30836074391_a1ef0f3420_b.jpgimg8315 by HughieDW, on Flickr

25288535349_c5575cab40_b.jpgimg8314 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30807699092_bf966ded2a_b.jpgimg8310pan by HughieDW, on Flickr

30622829510_87d2362ffb_b.jpgimg8304 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30888231026_f0ddb2c7e4_b.jpgimg8284 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30836360011_584563a2a0_b.jpgimg8282bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

30888322516_19d625339f_b.jpgimg8330 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30835486741_1e933c4f82_b.jpgimg8278 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30887458276_34281b24f9_b.jpgimg8274 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30807068402_6ff2bbf1fe_b.jpgimg8271 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30887536496_bd330474d7_b.jpgimg8270 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30923434285_2aa47dee13_b.jpgimg8265bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

30884332686_d1313b34a8_b.jpgimg8261 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30884361626_d3fa84383c_b.jpgimg8260 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30884387046_9a54979a00_b.jpgimg8259 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30832691681_3419439745_b.jpgimg8257 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30832710561_ba58e45d70_b.jpgimg8256 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30286066584_9644fac177_b.jpgimg8254 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30286266584_0c087e0180_b.jpgimg8247 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30804665462_3717c31edf_b.jpgimg8246 by HughieDW, on Flickr

30619636000_9b15203691_b.jpgimg8244bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

30885003456_09f34a53c0_b.jpgimg8264 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Thanks for looking!
 
Last edited:
Excellent pics matey, the twisted gear ring on that one engine shows the force of the impact...well worth the trip.
 
Cheers for the nice comments folks. Been looking at pics of this one for ages but to get an appreciation of just how much is there you need to see the site in its entirety. Deffo recommended but take a stout paid of water-proofed footwear.
 
Nicely photographed Hughie, and delighted that someone made the effort with the poppies, Thanks

First visited this site on Jan 1st '63 with a group of climbing/caving mates, and it became a regular New Year's meet-up for the next ten years or so. Marriages, responsibilities, working abroad and two fatal road accidents eventually put a stop to the meet-ups. However; right from our first visit, there was always indications of fresh Remembrance left at the site.
 
Nicely done Hughie.... it still amazes me how all those light pieces of alloy are still just in situ after nearly 70 years when you think about the weather up there.
 
That's a very thorough and well thought out report mate.great pics too.love this one so much
 

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