Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:49 pm
I would love to see the NMNA get a Helldiver.
Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:09 pm
I hope someone saves it before it is stripped clean by divers!
I'd love to see a Helldiver in the NMNA also.
Tim
I'd love to see a Helldiver in the NMNA also.
Tim
Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:48 pm
TBDude wrote:Reports from the first dives indicate the plane is intact, but deeply buried in sediment -- good for preservation, daunting for recovery.
See the article here...
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/23/bn23plane133154/
I'm sure we'll be getting more details soon.
Pretty cool...85' and right off the dock! Bummer bout the silt. I hope someone can ante-up the recover bux.
Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!
Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:58 am
I'm glad the Navy is getting AT&T involved in the recovery. THEY are the experts at this kind of thing. The last time the Navy tried to recover something in mud,muck and silt, it was a disaster and ended up destroying an extremely rare airplane.
Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:27 am
They had some video on the bird this morning on the Today Show. Looks to be relatively "intact", half buried in silt. THe big question is just how bad the corrosion is. Isn't it always!? The fact that it is on the national news must mean that things are moving forwards.
Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:20 am
Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:24 am
Tailplane picture here
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=137441
Video here
http://www.760kfmb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10781954
Includes side scan image
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=137441
Video here
http://www.760kfmb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10781954
Includes side scan image
Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:33 am
The tail plane picture looks like the last 2 digits are "66" and in fact it looks like last 3 are "866"
If so it aint the two quoted serials..
19884
19886
How about 19866 ?
Anyone confirm/ deny ?
If so it aint the two quoted serials..
19884
19886
How about 19866 ?
Anyone confirm/ deny ?
Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:29 am
Oh Boy, Fasten your seat-belts! 
Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:44 am
I agree with Tim..right now I'd just prefer to see her recovered and protected from souvenier hunters. She's incredibly vulnerable right now..look at the pilferage that has already happened to the recent Marauder recovery in Canada. Unless armed guards can be posted at the site 24/7, the Helldiver needs to be somewhere secure. Sort the legal issues out later.
Of course, I realize that realistically no one is gonna spend a dime for recovery until the plane's ownership is nailed down.
SN
Of course, I realize that realistically no one is gonna spend a dime for recovery until the plane's ownership is nailed down.
SN
Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:55 am
does anyone know how many planes that have been raised, have been brought back to airwortyh status? i was just thing out loud.
Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:39 pm
tex-fan wrote:does anyone know how many planes that have been raised, have been brought back to airwortyh status? i was just thing out loud.
2 Lake Michigin F4F wildcats, they were the only planes released to private ownership.
of the 2, 1 is now grounded in the Pearl Harbor museum, the other still flies.
Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:06 pm
What Chris said! It BELONGS in Pensacola.
Owen
Owen
Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:12 pm
yeah i'd vote NMNA also. there was one there when i visited in 2002, it sure would be nice to get one back there.
Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:28 pm
paulmcmillan wrote:The tail plane picture looks like the last 2 digits are "66" and in fact it looks like last 3 are "866"
If so it aint the two quoted serials..
19884
19886
How about 19866 ?
Anyone confirm/ deny ?
Dontcha just love it when 1/30th of the photo is occupied by the subject matter?
Going back to the source, Joe Baugher has that number as Buno 19886, ditched in Otay Lake, CA on 5/28/1945.