MB Project Milk BottleCollins, New York · 1958
Photo Archive

Crash Photos

Period photographs of the debris field near Collins, New York, newspaper coverage from April 1958, and historic maps used to document the crash site.

April 1958

The Debris Field

Photographs documenting where debris from B-47E Stratojet 52-0470 fell across farmland in the Town of Collins.

A large section of wing wreckage in a farm field, with onlookers gathered.
A large section of wing wreckage in a farm field, with onlookers gathered.
The aircraft's canopy, largely intact, resting in a field.
The aircraft's canopy, largely intact, resting in a field.
Wreckage documentation at the debris field.
Wreckage documentation at the debris field.
Recovered structural wreckage at the crash site.
Recovered structural wreckage at the crash site.
Additional debris documented during the on-site investigation.
Additional debris documented during the on-site investigation.
A further view of scattered wreckage across the farmland.
A further view of scattered wreckage across the farmland.
Debris field documentation, Town of Collins, New York.
Debris field documentation, Town of Collins, New York.
Additional wreckage recovered from the debris field.
Additional wreckage recovered from the debris field.
Press Coverage

Newspaper Coverage, April 1958

Buffalo Evening News front page, April 11, 1958
Buffalo Evening News, Friday, April 11, 1958: “Scenes From Crash of Exploding B-47 Stratojet in Town of Collins.”
Newspaper photo of smoking debris at the crash site
“The Smoking Debris. In Foreground Is Chunk of Plate.”
Site History

Historic Maps of the Crash Site

Period parcel and aerial survey maps used to identify the properties where debris fell, and to trace the site’s history through the 20th century.

1938 parcel map of the Langford / New Oregon area, showing period landowners.
1938 parcel map of the Langford / New Oregon area, showing period landowners.
Annotated 1951 aerial photograph identifying the James Schmitz and Aloys Schmitz farms.
Annotated 1951 aerial photograph identifying the James Schmitz and Aloys Schmitz farms.
1951 aerial photograph of the crash-site area.
1951 aerial photograph of the crash-site area.
1951 aerial survey sheet covering the wider Collins / North Collins area.
1951 aerial survey sheet covering the wider Collins / North Collins area.
1951 aerial survey sheet, adjoining section.
1951 aerial survey sheet, adjoining section.
1929 Erie County Greater Motorway System survey map, sheet G7/F7/H7.
1929 Erie County Greater Motorway System survey map, sheet G7/F7/H7.
1929 Erie County Greater Motorway System survey map, adjoining sheet.
1929 Erie County Greater Motorway System survey map, adjoining sheet.