8 Lost WWII Aircraft Found in UK Lake Waters

During World War II, the skies above the British Isles were filled with the buzzing of aircraft engines. Many planes, whether they belonged to the Axis or the Allies, ended up crashing due to various reasons—some because of air battles, others due to technical mishaps. Now, decades later, you won’t find any of these warbirds in open fields; most have been salvaged for metal long ago. However, a surprising number of World War II aircraft remain hidden, largely whole, and untouched since those days of conflict. They’re not on the land, though. They lie beneath the surface of the United Kingdom’s lakes.

In these waters, history sleeps beneath the waves. Over the years, a handful of these resting machines have been brought back to the surface. While we won’t dive into the details of each discovery, let’s look at some of the fascinating stories of World War II aircraft that found a resting place in the UK’s inland waters.

1. Vickers Wellington Mark 1A Bomber in Loch Ness

A bomber with a storied past, this Wellington completed 14 missions over Germany before meeting its end in Loch Ness, Scotland, while on a training mission on New Year’s Eve in 1940. Rediscovered by accident in 1976 with the aid of sonar equipment and pulled from the depths nearly a decade later, it now resides at the Brooklands Museum after a comprehensive restoration, offering visitors a rare glimpse at its well-preserved structure.

2. Spitfire Mark IIA in Loch Doon

Another lake-dweller, this Spitfire crashed into Loch Doon in Scotland during a training flight in 1941. The pilot’s alliance was with a free Czech squadron of the Royal Air Force. A dedicated local diving club took the challenge of lifting it from its watery bed in 1982, and their tireless work paid off. It took 35 years of effort, but now the plane stands on static display, a tribute to the pilots who trained in and flew these nimble fighters during the war.

3. Corsair in Lough Foyle

In Northern Ireland’s Lough Foyle rests an American-built Corsair fighter. It crashed on October 9, 1944, when its Canadian pilot was forced to ditch in the lake. Due to the rise and fall of the waters, parts of the plane have been taken by people over time. Yet, there are voices calling for the remnants of this fighter to be salvaged, to preserve what remains of its history.

4. Spitfire Mark IIA in the Lake of Menteith

The Lake of Menteith hid away another Spitfire Mark IIA which took a plunge following a practice flight mishap in 1943. The pilot lived through the ordeal, but the aircraft remained at the bottom. Known to have at least one air victory, it awaits potential recovery from the lake’s depths, where it has been resting for over 70 years.

5. Hurricanes in Loch Leven

Loch Leven in Scotland holds a pair of Hawker Hurricanes. The first one met its fate during a snowy day in 1943, taking its New Zealand pilot with it. While the pilot was recovered and laid to rest on land, the plane remains underwater. The other Hurricane also dived into the lake about a month later during a drill. The area’s designation as a national nature reserve could mean a more complicated path to recovering these fighters, but their stories linger on in the waters of Loch Leven.

6. Bristol Beaufort in Busby Muir Reservoir

This Bristol Beaufort bomber sank without a trace into Busby Muir Reservoir after crashing in 1941. Despite interest in recovering the aircraft, there were concerns that the attempt could harm the local water supply and ecosystem. So for now, the bomber sits quietly, concealed beneath the surface.

7. Blenheim Bomber in the Seven River

Another waterlogged war machine lies a mile from Litton Pier in the Seven River. A training maneuver gone awry sent this Blenheim bomber into the river’s sandy bed in 1940. An initial recovery effort managed to save only the tail, leaving the rest buried, but occasionally the shifting sands reveal parts of the aircraft, peeking out as silent reminders of the past.

8. Catalina Flying Boat in Lough Erne

Lastly, the majestic shape of a Catalina flying boat has been detected by sonar technology resting at the bottom of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland. It’s thought that several Catalinas might have been deliberately sunk post-war when they were no longer needed. These flying boats may still be uncovered in the future, bringing their tales to the surface once more.