SHORT STIRLING DISCOVERED
 

BBC article claiming a Short Stirling has been discovered in the North Sea, though no confirmation as such. I hope they investigate further. 'WW2 bomber's remains' found in North Sea - BBC News

Hope some better pics get published, anyone a notion of what that hoop was for? A quick search on the net shows it in both drawings and photographs, may be some form of bracing?

Looks like the support for the mudguard. At the time of its design, a lot of airfields were still grass, and mudguards would have been needed to prevent mud being thrown up into the wheel wells.

Some more info and a few more photos HERE

amazing story - looks like the tail wheels support?

Stirling's were also based at RAF North Creake from 1944 in North Norfolk to conduct the Mandrel and Window counter measures Ops
(replaced by Halifax's in 1945)

the control tower at RAF North Creake is now restored as the most wonderful B&B dedicated to the history of the base crew's and the Stirling and in true 1940's style - a lovely couple run it Clare and Nigel
the control tower B&B Egmere.

Damm, was up in North Norfolk yesterday. I would have had a look had I known. Thanks for the heads up

I have been reading my partners grandfather's war log written up in a note book as PoW. In the week before he became a PoW his Halifax was forced to ditch at night in the North Sea due to fuel loss after they had been shot up. They managed to stay dry by walking on to the wing and awaited rescue by RAF launch out of Great Yarmouth. The floating Halifax was then shot up by the launch and sunk so it didn't become a shipping hazard. So, apart from a few holes, there must be a Halifax to be found. Obviously subject to the ravages of the sea.