In what is probably the most ambitious aviation archaeological project ever undertaken, an early Wellington bomber is to be raised from its resting place at the bottom of Loch Ness, restored and eventually put on display in a national museum. This operation, if successful, will result in the preservation of the only example of a wartime Wellington Mk.IA - of which only 187 were built - and only the second Wellington in existence anywhere. The aircraft is N2980, which ditched in Loch Ness over 40 years ago. N2980 was delivered to 149 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall during November, 1939, and took part in the disastrous raid of December 18 when only 12 Wellingtons from a force of 24 returned from a daylight armed reconnaissance of Northern Germany. Subsequently, N2980 was employed on night operations, first by 149 and later by 37 Squadron. In common with other surviving Wellington Is, N2980 was later relegated to a training role, joining No. 20 Operational Training Unit at RAF Lossiemouth in North Scotland, on October 6, 1940. The aircraft attrition rate at OTUs was high and 20 OTU suffered particularly badly, with dozens of Wellingtons lost in the Highlands and over the sea.
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