Warbird Information Exchange

Intact WWII Corsair Found In Palau Waters

Local fishermen found an intact U.S. Corsair plane from World War II while spear fishing in Koror waters Wednesday.

Spear fishing were Ngatibuchel Uchel and Aikman Megreos, Ililau Bausoch, Skilang Ililau, Dairon Rediall and Sabadong Ngirbedul. They then called Neco Marine owner Shallum Etpison to find out if this was a known wreck site. Shallum has worked in the past with local fishermen to locate WWII planes, like the Japanese Jake floatplane located close to PPR found in 1994, a Corsair plane in the Ngesaol mangroves, and the more recent B-24 Bomber found in Aimeliik.

Neco Marine and Joe Maldangesang have worked with the U.S.-based Bent Prop Project since 1993. Dr. Pat Scannon and his team have done great work in Palau by locating and piecing together the stories of WWII wrecks, and have brought closure to many families of WWII veterans who fought in Palau. Another Corsair plane Bent Prop was looking for with the son of the pilot was accidentally found by a Neco Marine employee in 2003 when retrieving an anchor from the Malakal harbor.

Shallum’s wife Mandy also discovered Japanese zero plane wreck at Double Reef east of Koror in 1985. The Etpison couple went out on Wednesday (March 21) to explore the reported new plane site, and found a beautifully intact U.S. Corsair plane sitting upright in 45 feet of water. Shallum said it is amazing that after all these years of research, tourism and exploring, Palau still holds many secrets and discoveries. He also said it is great timing, because the Bent Prop team is here in Palau at the moment, so they can share this discovery, and will hopefully be able to identify the plane further, and find out the story behind it.

According to Dr. Scannon, there were three squadrons of Corsair planes based on Peleliu between September 1944 and the end of the war in 1945. This plane, tentatively identified as a marine F4U-1D model, must have taken off from Peleliu before being shot down west of Koror. Since the cockpit cover was open, the pilot probably survived the crash.

Dr. Scannon also stated this is one of the best preserved Corsair planes he knows off…

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/feature ... aters.html

It is in remarkable shape:

Incredible! Hope the pilot did survive. Can't wait to hear mre about this. Wonder if the government of Palau is friendlier than PNG.


Chappie

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Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!

That warhistoryonline.com is a pretty awesome site!

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

yeap!! thanks to me!! jeje bookmark the site, it´s a good one!!

Maybe Tighar (?) should hire a couple of these fellows for their next fiasco.

OK I'm going to ask it.

Knowing there are a fair amount of Corsairs out there, knowing it's in salt water, and with the understanding the Navy claims ownership, etc.

Would this Corsair, in the condition it appears to be in, be worth saving, because of it's possible combat history and whatever back story there might be to it's pilot and how it got there?

I'm not suggesting as a restoration to flight project, but more as a memorial to those guys who flew combat out there in these birds?

By all means it would be worth saving. If the navy would let someone salvage it, it should be displayed where the story of this plane and pilot could be told.

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A&P/I.A., A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!

It was abandoned in the territorial waters of a sovereign nation. Not sure that the USN could make a solid claim.

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

I agree.

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A&P/I.A., A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!

it would be great to salvage but as soon as it hits the surface air the oxidation process will begin...... not pretty. i'd like to see a salt water diorama in the shape it's in & the surroundings that are around it!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Relatively shallow, warm, salty tropical waters... I'm amazed this thing is in the shape it's in. Anyone have info on the possible unit involved here?

Neat find, thanks!

Lynn

Several years ago I recall seeing photos of late Steve Irwin diving on a intact aircraft wreck...a Hellcat, IIRC.
The canopy was closed...leading me to think the pilot's remains might still be aboard.

The focus of the article was not about archelogy or recovery...to him it seemed just to be something interesting to dive on.
I emailed his organization and asked if they had notified any authorities...since it might be a war grave. I aslo stressed that they could help provide closure for an airman's family.

I didn't expect to hear back so I wasn't disappointed.

Anyone else recall the photos and know the rest of the story?

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

He did a show called "Ghosts of war". I recall in the show he was on Peleliu standing on the wing of an intact Wildcat that was overgrown with foliage and you had to look really hard to see any trace that it was an aircraft. I believe what you are talking about was included in the same show. The episodes are on You-Tube

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A&P/I.A., A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!

They could just do what the Norwegians are doing with the Hienkel........then make it fly.



Chappie

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Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!