This afternoon we went to the sand dunes at Birubi beach and came across the remains of part of a plane wing emerging from the sand. The sand seems to have shifted after the storm we had a few weeks ago and perhaps that is why it has appeared.
To the right of the picture appears to be the wing root. The wing seems to be upside down. To the left of the picture are two weapons pylons which would have been used to mount bombs or missiles under the wing.
The Stockton dunes used to be used as a weapons range by the Royal Australian Air Force.
What an exciting find Babs! Well done for identifying all those various bits from the little bit of the plane that is visible. Did you have the TV series Lost down under???
@yaorenliu@joluise@steampowered@ivan@iwatts Thanks everyone. sorry for the group reply again. On the run again today. There is an Royal Australian Air Force base a few miles from these dunes and there are lots of shells in this area because during and just after the war this area was used as a bombing range. There are tank traps around too. I think this wreck probably surfaced during a storm we had a few weeks ago. Looks a pretty old plane. The sand on the dunes shift all the time. The dunes are about 20 miles long from Stockton in Newcastle to Anna Bay, near where we live.
Sometimes live shells can be find and they have to be blown up by the armourers on the RAAF base. One of the chaps who does 4WD tours over the dunes told us he found a shell a few days ago. Not a live one though.
@paulaw Thanks Paula. David identified the bits of the plane. He used to be in the RAF and the RAAF. I am not sure if we had the TV series Lost down under. I suppose we must have done, but I haven't seen it.
@gypsy6 I believe bits of wrecks turn up all the time, plus the occasional live shells. You know how the sand changes on the dunes. This wreck must have been here for years, probably kept from rusting because it was buried. There are lots of rusty bits of metal around it.
Wow...what a great capture. Hope there aren't any live ammo in those dunes. When my dad was in the Army we lived on an Army Weapons depot in Utah. There were many live ammo bunkers not far from where we lived. One day we kids went out and found some and brought them home and built (of all things) a boxing ring!!! When my dad came home and saw what we did he almost had a heart attack! We could have all blown ourselves up! Scary!!!! But we didn't know...A wonder so many of us survived our childhood!! hahahah! Enjoy your sis!!
@eyesmile I believe there is live ammo found occasionally. The armours from the RAAF base blow it up. You can come across shell cases occasionally too. @sunraye Thanks Raye. I am sure there must be more wrecks around under the sand.
@gamelee Thanks Lee. It is a lovely place to wander round. The dunes go on for about 22 miles from Anna Bay to Newastle. In the middle of the dunes is a place called Tin City and Anita and I are going out there in a 4wd in a few days time. I will let you know when I put the photos on of it.
October 28th, 2013
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Sometimes live shells can be find and they have to be blown up by the armourers on the RAAF base. One of the chaps who does 4WD tours over the dunes told us he found a shell a few days ago. Not a live one though.