Warbird Information Exchange

I found it very interesting to learn that there is a UC-78 still missing in the Smoky Mountains National Park area (maybe not in the park but somewhere in that greater area).

So after 60 some years what might be left of this aircraft to find? How much of it, if any, is made out of wood?

Just a bit curious, after all there are 4 families without answers (that I know of)

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

Well, the fuselage was made of steel tubing, as were the engine mounts. If it burned or plummeted vertically into the ground, regardless of what it was made from there might not be much left visible.

I'd imagine you'd find a considerable amount of aircraft today depending on how the aircraft crashed.

There was a UC-78 that had been lost during the war years here in southern Arizona that was rediscovered by some hikers in the mid-1970s. The hikers found the remains of the aircrew inside and notified the local law enforcement agency, and they in turn contacted the military. Several years ago I was given several accident investigation shots of the crash site, and it showed some amazing detail of the airframe condition.

Newspaper accounts of the accident investigation cited comments about the overall condition of the aircraft and how it stayed in a state of preservation over several decades. Much of the airframe was later recovered and it had been in the Pima Air and Space collection in Tucson. They have a display case with the instrument panel on display along with an account of the "lost and found" Mount Graham UC-78 and its crew.

Since this particular aircraft crashed into the trees and did not fully burn, parts of the wooden wings still displayed parts of the national insiginia and painted and stenciled markings. Tires were intact on gear. Blades were still on the engines. Instrument faces were still to some degree legible. Components still hung in the fuselage structure.

Granted this airframe was discovered thirty years ago, but I would surmise if the ship you referenced is still lost, there ought to be a substantial amount of tubual steel airframe or at least engines and gear remaining to positively identify the type. To find this crash and assist authorities on recovering the missing airmen would be a most noble endeavor as well. Best of luck on your search.

I remember reading about that Bamboo Bomber's discovery in Air Classics - The airframe was so intact that it was assumed it was in an inverted flat spin when it hit the ground. Supposedly they were going to restore it; one of the engines was almost runnable . Does anyone know what the Pima museum did with the rest of it?

Pooner, can you post those crash site photos?

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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)