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Spot the digger

Where is the digger in this aerial view of Headcorn Aerodrome? Picture: Jamie Freeman
Where is the digger in this aerial view of Headcorn Aerodrome? Picture: Jamie Freeman

Forget spot-the-ball, here’s a competition with a difference.

Buried somewhere in Headcorn aerodrome lies a huge bulldozer, there since the war.

Owner Jamie Freeman is inviting our readers to guess where it is.

In taking part in the unique contest you can also help raise funds for his plan to rebuild the engine of his museum’s V1 doodlebug and to keep the Kent Air Ambulance flying.

The 20-ton D8 bulldozer was being used in 1943 to lay runwaysat the aerodrome, which was called Lashenden.

When tea time came round, the men from the RAF Construction Branch went off to the char wagon, leaving the dozer ticking over.

The vibration from the engine caused it to sink into the heavy Wealden clay. When they got back, they decided rescue was impossible, so they covered it with earth.

Now, Mr Freeman wants to dig it up and put it on show at the aerodrome. To enter, print out the photograph and put an X where you think the bulldozer is. Send it to Dozer Comp, Headcorn Aerodrome, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9HX.

It is hoped entrants will make a donation towards the doodlebug project and the air ambulance.

The winner can choose between two tickets for the Proms at the aerodrome, on August 23, or the Tribute night on August 24, with Abba Magic and Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, with an appearance by Mick Fleetwood. Alternatively, they can choose a pleasure flight.

Donations of cheques/postal orders should be made out to Lashenden Air Warfare Museum. Entries close on June 1.

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