The Wreckage of a USAF Lockheed P38 Lightning Aircraft found buried in sand

A charity has announced plans to retrieve the wreckage of a rare World War II fighter plane buried under sand and waves on a UK beach.

The Maid of Harlech

The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) are looking for support. "One of the most important WWII finds in recent history", its location has been kept a secret to keep the find safe.

Pictures show how the previously undetected Lockheed P38 Lightning suddenly appeared on a Wales beach in 2007. Shifting water displaced sand which had hidden it for 60 years and revealed a gem find for aviation buffs.

The United States Army Air Force fighter crashed on the Gwynedd coast when it was taking part in training exercises and its engines cut out. Amazingly pilot Lt Robert Elliott walked away from the incident without a scratch but tragically went missing in action just three months later serving in the American's Tunisia campaign in North Africa

Picture: TIGHAR / BARCROFT MEDIA