The B-29 ‘Overexposed’ Wreckage on Film

The centre of the crash site of the B-29 bomber ‘Overexposed’. 1/13s 50mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

November 3rd 1948, the American RB-29 ‘Overexposed’ was carrying out a routine flight from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire to RAF Burtonwood near Warrington, a short journey of less than an hour. Sadly, the plane never made it. The circumstances are not entirely clear, but a huge band of low-lying cloud obscured had the ground and a navigational error meant the plane started to descend too early over the Bleaklow moors in the Peak District. Impacting the ground at high speed, all thirteen crew members were killed instantly. It was soon reported missing but with no survivors and the light fading, the RAF Mountain Rescue Team carried out the recovery of the crew the next day after having located the site. The men had actually finished their tour of duty and were due to return to America just a few days later. On the 40th anniversary of the crash in 1988, RAF Finningley also erected an official memorial.

The location of the crash site. The Snake Pass Summit marker highlights where you can park on the lay-by.

The memorial at the centre of the crash site. 1/60s 110mm F16 Portra 800 Bronica SQ-A.

The US flags flutters in the wind, surrounded by poppies left by British well wishers. 1/60s 110mm F11 Portra 800 Bronica SQ-A.

Another shot of the memorial from another angle. 1/10s 50mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

Developed during WW2 the B-29 Superfortress was one of the largest planes of its era and saw extensive action in the Pacific Campaign at the end of the war, culminating in the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This particular example had been converted to an RB-29 reconnaissance plane and had been given its nickname ‘Overexposed’ after it flew too close to the explosion of an atomic test at Bikini Atoll In 1946 during Operation Crossroads. Attached to the 16th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, it was in service for about four years and was used in the Berlin Airlift.

Wayward wreckage that hints you are approaching the main crash site. 1/30s 110mm F11 Portra 800 Bronica SQ-A.

This large engine component is one of the biggest single pieces of wreckage left. 1/60s 110mm F22 Portra 800 Bronica SQ-A.

I wasn’t the only one visiting to pay my respects on Remembrance Day. 1/30s 50mm F8.0 Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

Due to the remote area of the crash much of the wreckage still lies in-situ, though the large tail section of the plane was removed not long after the incident. It being visible from miles away was attracting too many curious members of the public. Unfortunately, some disrespectful visitors have taken away small bits and pieces but there’s no practical way to take the larger sections away over the moors. Many components have long begun to rust but, as much of it is aluminum, I was surprised how shiny some of the sections remain and even some of the rubber on the shredded landing gear looked surprisingly fresh.

The poor nutrients in the ground means little grows here but some parts of the wreckage are covered in moss. 1/125s 110mm F16 Portra 800 Bronica SQ-A.

A close-up of the poppies left by well wishers. You can see the bottle of beer on the left hand side. 1/15s 110mm F16 Portra 800 Bronica SQ-A.

People have left other tributes like the rock with ‘The Pals’ written on it. 1/15s 50mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

Parts of the plane’s main structure. 1/60s 110mm F11 Portra 800 Bronica SQ-A.

Getting there is not too difficult. You can park up at one of the large lay-bys off of Snake Pass (A57) and then by follow the Pennine Way before turning off West towards the nearby Higher Shelf Stones. When I initially arrived, the conditions were clear, and I had plenty of time to look over different parts of the wreckage. Most of it is clustered around a certain point, but there are numerous other pieces that were flung a greater distance away further down the slopes. I knew I was initially close to the main site having spotted one of these pieces on my approach. The day I visited was also not any ordinary day either but November 11th – Remembrance Day. Though this had been a coincidence, I did arrive on time to do my minutes silence at 11am with a few other walkers who had also made it up. Many poppies and crosses had been placed at the memorial and perhaps the most touching tribute was a bottle of beer that was left ‘for the boys’.

The fog rolled in and covered the crash site in a way similar to the day of the accident. 1/5s 50mm F16 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

The large engine component. You can see how poor the visibility becomes as you look through the image. 1/5s 20mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

Another large section from the engine, which looks like part of the main propeller system. 1/3s 20mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

The rubber still attached to the landing gear looked fresher than I expected. 1/5s 20mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

Part of the fuselage. 1/5s 20mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

More pieces of wreckage that sit further away from the centre. 1/5s 50mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

As I mentioned in my blog last week, the fog rolled in shortly afterwards and covered the area in much the same way as it would have been on that fateful day over seventy years ago. It was eerie looking now at the wreckage surrounded by thick swirlingly fog. A reminder of how quickly the conditions can change, and how deadly the consequences can become. If you do get a chance to visit, then I highly recommend it not just for the extraordinary sight but also to pay tribute to the men who never made it home. There is a B-29 on display at RAF Duxford, but foolishly I hadn’t remembered on the day of my visit to the museum to pay special attention and get a photo of the intact plane. Alas, it will have to wait for my next visit.  

People have created an RIP tribute using stones. 1/1.3s 50mm F11 with polariser Fuji Acros 100 (expired) Nikon F100.

As I walked around, this particular bit stood out to me. I saw it as H for hope. 1/125s 110mm F11 Portra 800 Bronica SQ-A.

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