save a P-40C in south america
Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:31 pm
there is a fairly intact RP-40C warhawk on seymour island, in the galapagos islands.
these islands were used by americans in ww2 for bombing training and this aircraft crashed on a small uninhabited island called seymour its very close to the main bombing island
it has a burnt out center section but a good front, got rear fuselage and tail group and good wings. it looks like a very flat spin in.
i wanted to recover it but the logistics of an operation like this are beyond me. you will need a barge to get it and as far as i know there are no laws protection it.
i dont have a serial number or know if the pilot was killed. but it should be saved from further destruction.
these islands were used by americans in ww2 for bombing training and this aircraft crashed on a small uninhabited island called seymour its very close to the main bombing island
it has a burnt out center section but a good front, got rear fuselage and tail group and good wings. it looks like a very flat spin in.
i wanted to recover it but the logistics of an operation like this are beyond me. you will need a barge to get it and as far as i know there are no laws protection it.
i dont have a serial number or know if the pilot was killed. but it should be saved from further destruction.
Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:40 pm
More info please!
Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:41 pm
I would be VERY, VERY surprised of there were NO Laws protecting it. If someone were to just go in and take it, something would undoubtedly pop up to give one a major headache. Any warbird just "sitting about" these days SHOULD be, at the least, covered in some way. This whole, "it's a National Treasure and we want it left just as it is", is just plain lunacy!!
In twenty years there will be a placard stating, "this shimmering pile of grey dust was once a valuable piece of our heritage and we "Saved" it for our children to cherish!"
In twenty years there will be a placard stating, "this shimmering pile of grey dust was once a valuable piece of our heritage and we "Saved" it for our children to cherish!"
Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:51 pm
galapogos islands is administered by the darwin foundation only (they look at birds or something) if you have the means you can take it and i really hope somebody does take it and rebuild it before its lots and i hope it is not some show pony either.
Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:06 pm
If it's been sitting at sea level, in a sub tropical salt water environment for over 60 years, you could recover it with a rechargeable DUST BUSTER
Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:13 pm
Aviationarchaeology.com has this listing:
420705 (July 5, 1942)
P-40C
41-13512
Galapagos
5 (damage category)
Mast, John F
GAL Seymour Island, Galapagos
420705 (July 5, 1942)
P-40C
41-13512
Galapagos
5 (damage category)
Mast, John F
GAL Seymour Island, Galapagos
Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:07 pm
Hello MG 42 -
I am most intrigued with your find of the P-40 in the Galapagos. Do you have a have photo that you can post ?? Also, has Seymour Island been renamed Baltra Island? I visited the Galapagos islands about 20 years ago and was surprised upon arrival that the enitre island group was administered by the Ecuadorean Navy. If that is still true then acquiring the aircraft off of a military installation could present some issues.
FWIW, I've attached a photo of Baltra that illustrates the former USAAF base (note the many hardstands) as well as the former seaplane ramps of the NAAF. Note that there is still a road connecting the two facilities.
I am most intrigued with your find of the P-40 in the Galapagos. Do you have a have photo that you can post ?? Also, has Seymour Island been renamed Baltra Island? I visited the Galapagos islands about 20 years ago and was surprised upon arrival that the enitre island group was administered by the Ecuadorean Navy. If that is still true then acquiring the aircraft off of a military installation could present some issues.
FWIW, I've attached a photo of Baltra that illustrates the former USAAF base (note the many hardstands) as well as the former seaplane ramps of the NAAF. Note that there is still a road connecting the two facilities.
Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:11 pm
great info chris.
was it fatal? or did he survive?
i have a recent photo somewhere (if i can find it) the plane is not bad at all. the alloy does really well. it is a few miles in from the ocean
was it fatal? or did he survive?
i have a recent photo somewhere (if i can find it) the plane is not bad at all. the alloy does really well. it is a few miles in from the ocean
Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:43 pm
found some pics
here ya go:
here ya go:
Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:45 pm
sorry it is seymour. the small island above what is now baltra
its in very good condition. doesnt even need new paint yet!
its in very good condition. doesnt even need new paint yet!
Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:49 pm
Dang not much left of her. 
Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:52 pm
only the center section is burnt. its very complete
wings are there
if you prefer...there is a B-24 not far from it
wings are there
if you prefer...there is a B-24 not far from it
Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:53 pm
See my link above. Info on both would be great!
Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:03 pm
wow thats cool someone needs to save this P-40 !