Divers believe they can locate crashed US plane off Alderney
TWO divers believe they can pinpoint the location of a Hercules plane that crashed into the English Channel during the Cold War.
Wreckage of the plane, including the liferaft, washed up near the coast of Alderney a few days after the incident in 1969.
US Air Force mechanic Sergeant Paul Meyer stole the plane from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk in an attempt to fly home and cure his homesickness.
It is unknown whether the crash was due to his own actions or because he was shot down.
Deeper Dorset, a small team of divers based in southern England, believe they can find the location of the sunken plane.
On their fundraising page they said they want to know what really happened to Sgt Meyer.
‘We believe that locating the wreckage and investigating the crash site will help us find the truth, both for Paul’s family and for world history,’ they said.
While the team has the technology and man-power to conduct the search, they have a £6,000 target to help them cover their minimum running costs.
The team is made up of three people.
Deeper Dorset founder and diver Grahame Knott specialises in sonar interpretation and deep English Channel wreck exploration and identification.
Diver and photographer Simon Brown will join him to take images and 3D map their discoveries.
Kickstarter manager Emily Brown is helping the pair by providing support for their campaign.
n More information can be found online at www.kickstarter.com/projects/979818757/finding-meyers-missing-hercules
n On their fundraising page, there is information on a donations rewards scheme.
A donation of £1 will give the person updates on the project progress.
A £55 donation will give the person an open edition A3 print of a Hercules painting and research log access.
Those who donate £185 will receive a limited edition art print, a photobook, ‘Journey’ CD and research log access.
