Warbird Information Exchange

Very nice Corsair sitting on the seabed. BentProp project dive.

http://www.bentprop.org/pm14/pr_docs/06-Mar22.htm

This one looks very complete with lovely clean skins. Do you think all the usual corrosion problems would occur if they fished it out? Or is there something special about these tropical waters?

Hi

Thats pretty amazing

regards

MS

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Wow, that is pretty clean for something sitting in salt water that long! Yes, if stabilized properly after raising, it could be saved.

They want to turn it into a public dive sight....

That looks like a mixture of fresh an salt water... not pure salt water...

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From the light conditions and the coral growth (along with the equipment the divers are using - single tank, non-nitrox) it does not look like this aircraft is very deep. The coloration on some of the panels in some of the shots (port side looking forward) looks like the years under water have been tough on this airframe. I would be surprised if any of this aircraft would be usable in a flying restoration. Most of the times when you hear of aircraft being recovered from salt water the are at depths of 100+ feet where there is little light for coral growth, and unless the photos were adjusted before posting, I suspect that this aircraft is in the 50-60 feet range at most.

I am all for recovering as many aircraft as possible, but given its location on the planet, and the cost/difficulty of stabilization once it comes to the surface, there are some aircraft that are probably best left where they are (as long as it is not a historically significant airframe). Even the cost of stabilization/restoration to static conditions would make the cost of this aircraft go beyond what you could get for a static display Corsair. If it was a historically significant airframe or type it might sense, but I would be trying to identify the airframe before going any further.

I'm sorry, but being the perpetual optimist and Corsair fan and having seen WORSE aircraft than this restored to flying condition, I gotta say, this thing looks salvageable to me....but I'm no expert. More'n likely the magnesium parts would be gone as they don't get along with salt water (reference the Collings Corsair's double dunking) but she sure looks like a blank canvas to me.

On another note, ain't those GoPro cameras great? I still have mine from 4 years ago, before they started offering the HD model, but have gotten loads of fishing shots and videos from over and under the water and I don't make a move without it!

Mark

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Mark Morris

Unfortunately, raising it would probably be more trouble than it's worth. Just because it looks good underwater really doesn't mean a thing, as long as it's been in saltwater for any amount of time you're still going to have the usual chloride/HCl problems once you get it to the surface.

Doesn't mean it can't be done, just that you need someone whose realistic as to what would need to done - Until then, probably best to leave it where it is.

Yep, sure does look nice. But I have seen better ones. Four in fact, all within close proximatey to each other (10 miles) they range in depth from 30 to 60 feet of sea water. One still has its unit letters etc on it. but once out of the water they would need very quick attention to stabilize them. Not impossible, but costly.

sorry no pics or GPS details.

but I am sure there are lots of examples out there that could be saved, even from salt water.



Peter

Interesting stuff, thanks guys.

I remember being full of hope all those years ago when the lend lease dump off the Queensland coast came to light.

Am I right in saying that long term exposure to salt water physically changes the structure of the metal and while stabilisation can stop it falling apart, it will never be the same airworthy metal again?
Just want to get my head around what is possible.

Thanks

Yes. Even when over simplifying, the metals in aircraft construction don't take to long term salt water immersion well. The metal actually ends up 'salt soaked' if you like, so over a period of time you can leach the salts back out, by having the wreck in a refreshing tank of clean water over months - often years. That's make it stable, i.e. no longer going to degrade rapidly in air, but the metals won't have any of the properties they were chosen for, no strength (tension, sheer strength etc.) ability to sustain loads, crystallisation, exfoliation, so 'airworthy' is out, museum display is hard enough.

Plus your magnesium will be gone (rivets, castings) there will be dissimilar metal corrosions where electrolysis can take place, plus of course damage and losses from being in a dynamic seabed location.

Regards,

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Thanks for the info James, I guess I can stop dreaming now.

Don't stop dreaming! Just look in fresh water area.

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A&P, A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!

It's a shame that some of the birds like this one weren't discovered sooner. Remember the Hellcat that they pulled out off the coast of San Diego? It was in salt water for 30+ years, and now it's the pristine plane in the NMNAM. I remember hearing a story that one of the guns still shot on that plane after it was yanked out. Maybe an urban legend...anyone know?
-Matt

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I'm looking for that buried Corsair(s) that I can dig up, pressure wash, and fly!

Has anyone ever found the TBM Avenger that former President George H.W. Bush bailed out of near CHi CHi Jima?

I think there was an article in an old Air Classics about a search for it. As I recall the plane hit a rock or coral outcrop and pretty much disintegrated. They found some engine parts on the seabed, but there's no way to confirm if they came from Bush's plane.

SN