DescriptionWreckage above Llyn Cowlyd comprises mainly undercarriage and engine components. There are also burned spots in the vicinity with molten aluminium.
The remains of this aircraft are designated as a Protected Place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. The Act makes it an offence to interfere with the wreckage of any crashed, sunken or stranded military aircraft without a licence. For further information on this Act and its administration with regard to aircraft, please contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1RZ.
Event and Historical Information:
This Anson was one of 750 delivered in January and July 1943 by Avro at Yeadon. It was assigned to SPTU (Staff Pilots Training Unit) at Cark, Lake District. Tthe aircraft hit a ridge on the north side of Llyn Cowlyd in a snowstorm on 20 February 1944 during a night navigation exercise. Onboard were pilot Sgt Grant, wireless operator Pilot Officer Mervyn J Byrne, 2nd pilot Warrant Officer Renton, and navigator Sgt Birch for a training flight. Birch and Byrne were injured but stuck fast in the wreckage (Byrne was pinned by his right leg). Renton had been thrown out missing and Grant was dead in his seat. The following morning the plane was found by farmer's son, Will Roberts, whilst undertaking a patrol of the outlet pipes from the lake (checking for Fifth Columist bombs). Renton was still alive at this time. The rescue team reached the Anson at 13:45, and took Renton down first in stretcher. Byrne was extricated with a double fracture of the right leg, a fractured skull and severe injuries to his right eye. 34 Maintenance Unit, RAF Detachment at Monkmore, Shrewsbury obtained two bumpers from a garage in Bethesda and built a sledge on which most of the wreckage was brought down over a week.
Sources include:
Doylerush, E, 1999, No Landing Place Volume 2: More Tales of Aircraft Crashes in Snowdonia, pg104
Doylerush, E, 2002, No Landing Place: A Guide to Aircraft Crashes in Snowdonia, pg76-8, 91
Halley, J, 1991, Royal Air force Aircraft LA100 - LZ999, pg97
WWW resources:
http://peakwreckhunters.blogspot.com/2008/06/avro-anson-mki-lt433-coded-mi_06.html, last viewed 26/04/11
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/SPVA/AviationArchaeology.htm
Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, December 2013.
