Excavating Packard Merlin

Excavation of a single Packard merlin engine in Dutch farmers field in 2015. The engine belonged to Avro Lancaster ND 559 GT-J that was attacked and exploded above the Dutch village of Molenaarsgraaf on may 21, 1944. Lest we forget!

[@Slaktrax]

Good work with the excavator, nice and gentle.

[@Mike-01234]

I thought they would bring up some rusted out lump what was left of that Rolls Royce Merlin amazing that the engine was in such good shape. Looks like it could be restored to running condition. Lancaster was built in Briton not the US the engine is a Rolls-Royce Merlin XX V12 produced 1280HP.

[@philsutherland4563]

Would be better without the music

[@6828oaklawn]

I believe that Packard did not build the Merlin engine that was recovered. If it was a license - built Packard Merlin, it would have been built in the USA. This Merlin was built by Rolls Royce in the UK.

[@jamezxh]

Would love to see a picture of it Cleaned up

[@realtalk2176]

Are the other 3 still there?

[@davemachoukas6175]

Be evan better without the music

[@ramseybarber8312]

John I assume it was local knowledge for the area and a good metal detector.

[@stichtingoorlogsmonumentmo235]

Hi, yes local knowledge by the farmer who stood at his father's hand as a youngster at the impact crater left by the engine after the crash. It always kept his mind what was buried there but unfortunately he was passed away before whe excavated in 2015.

[@johndurant622]

Gotta ask, how did they know it was so far down there?

[@stichtingoorlogsmonumentmo235]

Hi, I use a very thin stainless steel probe 8 mm that is extendable with segment of 120 cm. Very simple but effective for locating and depths. But must say that it's probably most usuable because the soft soil in our area.

[@realtalk2176]

@@stichtingoorlogsmonumentmo235 are the other 3 engines still there?