Franklin Massachusetts History | New England Aviation History

Alleged Airship Crash – 1906

March 3, 2025

The following news item appeared in The Evening Reporter of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on April 4, 1906, page 3. Apparently there was a man in Franklin, Massachusetts, who played an April fool’s prank on his town.

JOKER CAUSES EXCITEMENT

Franklin People Were Looking For A Wrecked Airship

Franklin, Mass. April 4. – A practical joker, who resides in North Franklin, near the Medway line, was the cause of considerable excitement in that town yesterday when he told several that an airship had broken down and struck the ground near his farm. The statement went the rounds fast and by the middle of the afternoon everyone was talking about the affair. A large number spent their time and money for car fares to come to North Franklin to see the stranded ship. Early Tuesday morning a large number saw what they believed to be an airship in the skies, and when told that it had broken down by the North Franklin genius, were quick to swallow the story.

Franklin, Mass – April 4, 1944

March 15, 2015

Franklin, Massachusetts – April 4, 1944

P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo

On April 4, 1944, two U.S. Army P-47 fighter planes were conducting “dog fighting” practice over Franklin, Massachusetts, when one aircraft crashed into a wooded area off Maple Street in Franklin. The plane exploded on impact, killing the pilot, 2nd Lt. William J. Bradt, of Buffalo, N.Y. The explosion reportedly left a crater 80 ft. wide and 20 ft. deep in a “boggy” area. Wreckage was scattered for some distance.

Witnesses said the plane went into a sharp dive trailing smoke before bursting into flames, and it was speculated that the pilot aimed for the wooded area to avoid nearby buildings.

News accounts stated “thousands” came to the scene and engaged in souvenir hunting, prompting police to issue warnings about unexploded .50 caliber bullets. One news reporter found $330 dollars which had been blown from the pilot’s clothing, which he turned over to police.

The aircraft flown by Lt. Bradt was a P-47D. serial number 42-22449

Sources:

Woonsocket Call, “Plane Explodes Over Franklin” , April 4, 1944, pg. 1

Woonsocket Call, “Shells From Plane Wreck Prompt Franklin Warning”, April 5, 1944, pg. 4