Warbird Information Exchange

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PeA8myrlxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vNMs5miZAg

Do you suppose that there is anything left of this?

Yes, there is enough for parts and patterns only. A rebuild/restoration would largely be a replica. The Naval Historical Center has already stated that the 3 known Devastators underwater - the Jaluit atoll, San Diego, and Florida ones are not worth recovering since they are all in such poor shape. I'm afraid we're destined to never see a TBD at Pensacola, unless a new discovery is made somewhere. And, before anybody asks - no - there are none in the Great Lakes either.

Shame that the Navy won't let anyone recover what's left - After all, planes have been rebuilt from less. If someone wants to spend their own money chasing something like this, then let them (especially since you aren't going to find any others in any better condition anywhere else).

There are a couple on-land crash sites that would yield parts if the red tape could be unraveled.
The San Diego plane doesn't look any worse than the Do17 that was recovered a few years ago...

_________________

All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

I'm sure this was discussed in the past, but where and when was the last one seen? I think some outfit in the 'states had one for a hack in late '44.

_________________
Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

Going from memory, the last ones were scrapped at Mustin Field in Oct 44, if I recall correctly; I'll go back through my list and verify.

Cheers,

Lynn

There is hope! A TBD crashed on land in Hawaii, I have the report. Here is the info/report summery

Date of accident 410429 TBD-1 Bu# 0280 assigned to VT-2 USS Lexington
Pilot French, John P. and crew were killed in the crash
Location to nearest city Kula, Maui, HI

Summary of the accident:
The plane was returning from a flight for machine gun training and individual bombing training runs at 10,000 feet. It was circling at an altitude of approximately 5000 feet over the western slopes of the Haleakala Mountain and at a low altitude above terrain. The engine apparently failed and the pilot attempted a forced landing, wheel up, flaps down in an uphill direction. The plane crashed in a rocky depression and burned.
It was determined that the possible cause of the engine failure was that the plane ran out of gas.

I'm sure "something" is still remaining at this crash site. It has never been surveyed.

Anybody want to go wreck chasing for a TBD wreck in Hawaii? Especially this time of year?
I've been up to the top Mt Haleakala several times, I just never knew about the TBD crash until recently.
Its worth a look! Worth more research from local sources!
AlohaDave

How many untouched wrecks are there left in Hawaii? It was my understanding that the majority of them were carted off by scrap metal scavengers after the war was over.

"How many wrecks in Hawaii" Dozens and dozens. The official count was more than a hundred USAF wrecks on land and the same for the USN, I visited more than a dozen myself.
Only surplus planes were scrapped in Hawaii. Not crash sites, like in the US mainland. There is still substantial crash site remains to this day. It was just too much trouble in Hawaii to scrap wrecks in the hills.
You can check out current and past WWII crash site surveys in Hawaii at this web site
http://hiavps.com/Past%20Projects.htm
http://hiavps.com/current%20projects.htm

Several years ago I obtained a photocopy of the entire 50+ page file on the crash of 0280 from the National Archives. Of course, that may be what Dave meant by "the report," but I'd be happy to pass it along just in case [send me a pm if interested].

I expect there must be "something" left at the crash site on the old Zabriskie property below Mt. Haleakala as well, but suspect it will be limited to tiny fragments. Photos of the still smoldering wreck show the entire crew section and most of the wings were consumed .. burned from the engine aft to the radioman/gunner's position. An ambulance, truck, and work party all drove to the scene and there are references to the subsequent recovery/salvage efforts. It seems to me that most of the major components (like the powerplant and empennage) were hauled away at the time.

Of course, any verifiable trace of a TBD-1 Devastator would be a rare and significant find. And it would be nice to memorialize the precise spot where some fine naval aviators gave the lives.

What if someone wanted to build one from scratch?

Does anyone have TBD blueprints?

-G
www.gblume.com

A Jaluit TBD would be better than no TBD.

I've been looking, as have some of my friends and fellow WIXers, for years. No luck so far. If anyone reading this thread has a set or a good lead on where they are, please let us know!