In what experts consider nothing short of a miracle, a Polish oil company worker recently discovered the plane believed to have been flown by missing Flight Sgt. Dennis Copping.
British WWII fighter plane found —
In what experts consider nothing short of a miracle, a Polish oil company worker recently discovered the plane believed to have been flown by missing Flight Sgt. Dennis Copping.
Courtesy BNPS
As German Gen. Erwin Rommel chased British forces across the North African desert, a stray Royal Air Force fighter crashed in the blistering sands of the Egyptian Sahara on June 28, 1942.
British WWII fighter plane found —
As German Gen. Erwin Rommel chased British forces across the North African desert, a stray Royal Air Force fighter crashed in the blistering sands of the Egyptian Sahara on June 28, 1942.
Courtesy BNPS
The pilot was never heard from again. The damaged Kittyhawk P-40 -- a couple of hundred miles from civilization -- was presumed lost forever.
British WWII fighter plane found —
The pilot was never heard from again. The damaged Kittyhawk P-40 -- a couple of hundred miles from civilization -- was presumed lost forever.
Courtesy BNPS
The fighter's "state of preservation is incredible," British military historian Andy Saunders said. "The thing just landed there in the desert and the pilot clearly got out. ... It is a complete time capsule really."
British WWII fighter plane found —
The fighter's "state of preservation is incredible," British military historian Andy Saunders said. "The thing just landed there in the desert and the pilot clearly got out. ... It is a complete time capsule really."
Courtesy BNPS
Pilots were "flying with very basic life support systems," Saunders said. "His chances of survival were not good."
British WWII fighter plane found —
Pilots were "flying with very basic life support systems," Saunders said. "His chances of survival were not good."
Courtesy BNPS
Almost 70 years after the accident, the plane is extraordinarily well-preserved.
British WWII fighter plane found —
Almost 70 years after the accident, the plane is extraordinarily well-preserved.
Courtesy BNPS
RAF pilots in North Africa at that time didn't have much in terms of rations. Copping's supply would have been very limited, assuming he had food or water at all.
British WWII fighter plane found —
RAF pilots in North Africa at that time didn't have much in terms of rations. Copping's supply would have been very limited, assuming he had food or water at all.
Courtesy BNPS
The young pilot, according to Saunders, apparently became disoriented during the flight and headed in the wrong direction. Another RAF pilot flying nearby "tried all sorts of things" to get his attention, but Copping "bizarrely" ignored a series of warnings, Saunders said.
British WWII fighter plane found —
The young pilot, according to Saunders, apparently became disoriented during the flight and headed in the wrong direction. Another RAF pilot flying nearby "tried all sorts of things" to get his attention, but Copping "bizarrely" ignored a series of warnings, Saunders said.
Courtesy BNPS
Most of the plane's fuselage, wings, tail and cockpit instruments remain intact.
British WWII fighter plane found —
Most of the plane's fuselage, wings, tail and cockpit instruments remain intact.
Courtesy BNPS
For safety reasons, Egyptian officials have removed its ammunition and guns.
British WWII fighter plane found —
For safety reasons, Egyptian officials have removed its ammunition and guns.
Courtesy BNPS
As Copping's story becomes known, British authorities are hoping to bring his plane back to the United Kingdom and put it on display at the RAF Museum in London.
British WWII fighter plane found —
As Copping's story becomes known, British authorities are hoping to bring his plane back to the United Kingdom and put it on display at the RAF Museum in London.
Courtesy BNPS