Researchers discovered remains of an American P-51 Mustang long-range fighter plane that crashed during World War II in a field near Trzcińsko Zdrój, South-east Poland.

The researchers believed that there were remains of a P-51 Mustang airplane, downed in 1945 in the field. There are historical information about a group of three such crafts flying in the area from the direction of Słubice. On March 18th 1945 they engaged in a fight with Russian airplanes which resulted in two of the Mustangs being shot down. So far no such air craft was discovered in the area of Poland, so the survey conducted with use of metal detectors was aimed at locating any remains of the plane.

The detectorists have discovered numerous metal elements, including ammunition, parts of mechanisms, parts of the sheathing as well as plates covered with English writing, indicating that the remains came of an aircraft manufactures in United States. A serial number was retrieved and will be cross-referenced with US Army archives. The researchers believe that it will be able to learn who was aboard the shot-down airplane.

The Mustang was designed in 1940 by North American Aviation as a long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber. It was used during World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts. Pilots of the famous 303 Polish Fighter Squadron within the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War piloted such machines.

(after TVN24 & Marcin Bielecki)