Shropshire historians restore rare relic
A rare and possibly unique relic which told an important part of the story of the development of post-war independent airlines was discovered at a Shropshire scrapyard, but smashed up by a herd of cattle before it could be salvaged.
The freight pannier which was slung under converted Halifax bombers is thought to have lain at the scrapyard near Shrewsbury for decades, and when word began to spread on the internet of its existence researchers set about tracking it down.
Fortunately some parts have survived the trampling by cattle and have been recovered and restored.
Eric Tarrant, who lives near Market Drayton and is official archivist of the Eagle group of companies, said: "In the early days we operated Halifax bombers with a pannier underneath for carrying freight and we discovered there were the remains of a pannier in a scrapyard in Battlefield. It's been there, I would think, for 40 years.
"Sadly, in the last 18 months so far as I can make out, cattle got into the yard and smashed it all up.
"There were two quite large components used for hoisting freight into the bomb bay which were left which the scrap merchant has allowed us to have for our archives. They are quite rare items. The whole pannier is quite rare."
He added: "It was rather mutilated, and the two pieces of equipment were the hoisting mechanism. I tried restoring them and they have come up really well. There was very little corrosion.
"The RAF used panniers as well. Quite a number of independent airlines in 1948, 1949 and 1950 were using them to carry freight. Our airline started with four of them and went to Spain to pick up fruit for the London markets."
Mr Tarrant said that after the war a number of fledgling independent airlines bought old Halifax bombers and began the task of carrying freight commercially.
Mr Tarrant said the main parts that could be salvaged were the two main hoist assemblies and one freight door.
"Work began to extract these items from what remained of the wood structure. What was amazing is the condition of both of the hoist frames after being left open to the weather for many years. Little corrosion was found and restoration work that was needed has begun. I'd like to thank the manager and staff of W.J. Furber Ltd Prees and Shrewsbury for their help and willingness to see these items preserved."
