Meanwhile, off the coast of Sicily …

[Wilson]

… ol’ Bob Ballard, the guy who found the Titanic, is looking at dormant underwater volcanoes with his remotely operated vehicles for National Geographic. Yawn. While off the island of Pantelleria, however, he unexpectantly comes across the “remnants of an airplane.”

That airplane is a rare Macchi C.202! There are only two Macchi C.202s extant in the world, plus three similar C.205s. A very interesting find, indeed.

While most of it is ready to turn into dust, it’s amazing how the parts that were buried in the silt still have their paint and markings. The main landing gear looks good, too.

Here’s a link to the video. They also have a clip dedicated specifically to exploring the plane, but I can’t get it to load.

http://www.nautiluslive.org/video/2011/ ... taly-leg-7

[lmritger]

First off, that's awesome. Second, that makes absolutely NO sense to me... how can part of the fuselage be so completely disintegrated, while the rollover pylon and the cowling be virtually untouched and still show their characteristic "smoke ring" camo? There's an awful lot of WTF here.

Third, I'm assuming the Vigna del Valle has already chartered a boat and is heading out that way?

Great find, thanks for sharing it!!!

Lynn

[Steve Nelson]

Cool find! Unfortunately there are probably only a few bits that would survive recovery, and they would require some pretty intensive conservation work.

Oh and Lynn, the parts that are so well preserved were done with Mike Grant decals. The rest was painted.

SN

[lmritger]

Cool find! Unfortunately there are probably only a few bits that would survive recovery, and they would require some pretty intensive conservation work.

Oh and Lynn, the parts that are so well preserved were done with Mike Grant decals. The rest was painted.

SN

He's gone from ruining the hobby to ruining the Mediterranean! OH NOES!!!!1eleventy!