In Search of a Superfortress - 11.5 mile Peak District Day Walk

Join OutdoorLads for a Peak District Day Walk with a difference!  Along with the usual walking, we will be going in search of one of the many WW2 crash sites which can be found in the area.

Our main destination will be the crash site of "Over Exposed!" which was a Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber, in service with the USAF during World War 2.  They were around the same size as the more familiar Lancaster which found fame in service of the RAF during the war.

"Over Exposed!" took off on the morning of 3 November 1948, at around 10.15 from Scampton, Lincolnshire for Burtonwood USAF base, near Warrington.  The crew were due to return to the States a few days later.

When "Over Exposed!" failed to arrive at Burtonwood, an air search was initiated and that afternoon the burning wreck was spotted high on the moors near Higher Shelf Stones. By chance members of the Harpur Hill RAF Mountain Rescue Unit were just finishing an exercise two and a half miles away, so they quickly made their way to the scene of the crash but there was clearly nothing that could have been done for any of the crew.

All 13 men on board had been killed instantly when the aircraft flew into the moor. It is not known why Captain Tanner did not fly at a height sufficient to clear the high ground.

As you might imagine, much of the wreckage has either worn away or been taken by those seeking a memento in the intervening 70 years, but there is plenty still to be found including a couple of engines, the undercarriage and a clearly discernible wing.

We'll meet in Old Glossop and head along Doctor's Gate (an old Roman road) before joining the Pennine Way at "Old Woman".  We'll leave the main path to search for "Over Exposed!" and probably have some lunch there depending on the time.  We'll find our way back to the Pennine Way before working our way back down to Old Glossop for a pint.

There is over 600m of total ascent, so this is a moderately challenging walk and the distance is 11.5 miles.

It's only half an hours' drive from Manchester city centre to get to the start of the walk, so you've no excuse!