Inverness in Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

One of Our Aircraft

Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 27, 2018

1. One of Our Aircraft Marker

Inscription.

One of Our Aircraft. . One of Our Aircraft. On the 21st Sept 1985 Wellington Bomber N2980 'R' for Robert was recovered, from a depth of 70 metres at a location 200 metres directly off shore from this point. , The Wimpy was RAF Bomber Commands mainstay in the early years of the 2nd World War 1939 – 45. It's unique geodetic construction, the brainchild of the legendary Sir Barnes Wallis of 'bouncing bomb' fame, enabled it to survive battle damage that would have destroyed lesser machines. , While 11,461 Wellingtons were built, more than any other British bomber N2980 is now the only known example of its breed that saw action to have survived intact from those years of blood, toil, tears and sweat. , N2980 is an early MK1A built by Vickers Armstrongs at Weybridge in Nov 1939. While serving with 149 Squadron at Mildenhall It took part in the famous 'Battle of the Heligoland Bight' on the 18th Dec 1939. This was the first major encounter of the war between the Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe. From a force of 22 Wellingtons, drawn from 149, 9 and 37 Squadrons, the Luftwaffe shot down 12. , It was as a direct result of this daylight raid on Wilhelmshaven that Bomber Command abandoned its pre-war policy of daylight raids on tactical targets and switched to night operations. The theory, long cherished, that 'the bomber will always get through' perished that day along with the 12 Wimpys. N2980 also served with 37 Squadron at Feltwell and after 14 missions over Germany it was retired from active service to 20 Op. Trg. Unit at Lossiemouth in Oct. 1940. While on a Navigation Trg. exercise it ditched on Loch Ness during a snow storm on New Year's Eve due to failure of the starboard engine. , Of the 8 crew members, 6 bailed out. The tail gunner was killed when his parachute failed to open. The pilot and co-pilot ditched the aircraft and rowed ashore in their inflatable dinghy. N2980, now restored, can seen on the site where it was built, at Brooklands Museum Weybridge Sur. , This plaque was erected by the Loch Ness Wellington Assoc. Ltd, on the 50th anniversary of the 'Battle of the Heligoland Bight', 18th Dec 1989, to commemorate the recovery of 'R for Robert'. , Unveiled by Pupils from Drumsmittal School Newmill Castings Ltd Elgin.

One of Our Aircraft On the 21st Sept 1985 Wellington Bomber N2980 'R' for Robert was recovered, from a depth of 70 metres at a location 200 metres directly off shore from this point.

The Wimpy was RAF Bomber Commands mainstay in the early years of the 2nd World War 1939 – 45. It's unique geodetic construction, the brainchild of the legendary Sir Barnes Wallis of 'bouncing bomb' fame, enabled it to survive battle damage that would have destroyed lesser machines.

While 11,461 Wellingtons were built, more than any other British bomber N2980 is now the only known example of its breed that saw action to have survived intact from those years of blood, toil, tears and sweat.

N2980 is an early MK1A built by Vickers Armstrongs at Weybridge in Nov 1939. While serving with 149 Squadron at Mildenhall It took part in the famous 'Battle of the Heligoland Bight' on the 18th Dec 1939. This was the first major encounter of the war between the Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe. From a force of 22 Wellingtons, drawn from 149, 9 and 37 Squadrons, the Luftwaffe shot down 12.

It was as a direct result of this daylight raid on Wilhelmshaven that Bomber Command abandoned its pre-war policy of daylight raids on tactical targets and switched to night operations. The theory, long cherished, that

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'the bomber will always get through' perished that day along with the 12 Wimpys. N2980 also served with 37 Squadron at Feltwell and after 14 missions over Germany it was retired from active service to 20 Op. Trg. Unit at Lossiemouth in Oct. 1940. While on a Navigation Trg. exercise it ditched on Loch Ness during a snow storm on New Year's Eve due to failure of the starboard engine.

Of the 8 crew members, 6 bailed out. The tail gunner was killed when his parachute failed to open. The pilot and co-pilot ditched the aircraft and rowed ashore in their inflatable dinghy. N2980, now restored, can seen on the site where it was built, at Brooklands Museum Weybridge Sur.

This plaque was erected by the Loch Ness Wellington Assoc. Ltd, on the 50th anniversary of the 'Battle of the Heligoland Bight', 18th Dec 1989, to commemorate the recovery of 'R for Robert'.

Unveiled by Pupils from Drumsmittal School
Newmill Castings Ltd Elgin

Erected 1989 by Pupils from Drumsmittal School.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is September 21, 1985.

Location. 57° 23.897′ N, 4° 21.279′ W. Marker is in Inverness, Scotland, in Highland. Memorial is on Route A82, 10.1 kilometers south of General

Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 27, 2018

2. One of Our Aircraft Marker

Booth Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Inverness, Scotland IV3 8JZ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Magic of Loch Ness (a few steps from this marker); The Majesty of Loch Ness (within shouting distance of this marker); Academy of Applied Science (within shouting distance of this marker); The Private Chamber (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); The Grant Tower (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); The New Kitchen (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); The Chapel (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); The Great Hall (approx. 9.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Inverness.

Wellington N2980 'R' for Robert image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 6, 2018

3. Wellington N2980 'R' for Robert

The aircraft is now on display at the RAF Hendon Museum.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 6, 2018

4. Wellington N2980 'R' for Robert

The aircraft is now on display at the RAF Hendon Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 14, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.