I’ve always had a passion for aircraft relics, particularly those related to the Ju-87 Stuka. But at last, I’ve branched into Allied aircraft parts, and I’m rather pleased with my first one.

This large panel, approximately 27×16 inches, was salvaged from the wreckage of a Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV light bomber, serial T1851, part of 107 Squadron RAF. It was brought down under uncertain circumstances — though it is most likely to have been shot down by anti-aircraft fire — on 9th September 1940, near the village of Hesdin, Northern France. The aircraft took off from RAF Wattisham at 3:25 AM, flying out on a night raid to target ports and barges in Ostend, Belgium.

The panel is crumpled from the impact of the crash, and appears to be lightly burned. But most of the camouflage paint survives, with the stripe between the RAF green and brown clearly visible. Most of the rivets have been ripped out, but a few have survived.

It was one of two aircraft from 107 Squadron lost that night. The following are the names of the crewmen from the aircraft this relic was salvaged from:

PILOT: Pilot Officer Charles De Vic Halkett, 43704 RAF, aged 25

OBSERVER: Sergeant Alec Victor Jacobs, 755443 RAFVR, aged 21

OPERATOR/GUNNER: Sergeant James Harley Easton, 755173 RAFVR, aged 21

Their final resting places photographed below. All three men are buried side by side in the graveyard of Wambercourt Church, France.

A photograph of a Blenheim Mk.IV, and a portrait picture of Pilot Officer Charles De Vic Halkett.

A map, showing the location of the crash site and the final resting places of the crewmen.

And finally, a Google Maps link to the field the aircraft came down in. A serene, beautiful place today: Google Maps

All information and photographs contained within this thread, other than my own, come from this site: 107 Squadron Blenheim IV T1831 P/O. Halkett

Regards, B.B.