WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

[VTJUNK]

I was looking for information on WWII aircraft that have been recovered by Gary Larkins and ran across this very interesting website. It's a database of Pacific Theater crash sites, categorized by squadron/plane type. A brief history of some of the planes is given including where it was manufactured, crew names, mission history, current wreck status, and if remains were recovered. Some have photos of the planes when they were in service and what they look like now.

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/mia/registry/usa.html

[squirrel]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

I ran across that a while back, very interesting!

[JOES66FURY]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

link?

[VTJUNK]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

sorry, link posted.

[Chassisman]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

My brother is a WWII historian and wreck chaser.He once led an expedition to a High Sierra lake B-24 Lib crash site.It took 3 days to get there hiking and mule packing.To dive on the wreck they had to breath mixed air and took some serious risks.When the AF did a survey and remanis recovery in 62 they visually indentified the crew members and the plane was mostly entact from the pics he got.But when they arrived at the lake...no plane was visible...so they dove the lake....only to find shredded remains of the 4 engine bomber.Turns out in the early 70's apparently the US Forrest service decided the wreck was a blight to the wilderness...so..in their brilliant minds they dynamited the plane to bits.My brother and other investors had hoped to recover the aircraft and restore it because of the cold water it was perfectly perserved.He brought back pieces of plexiglass that were perfectly clear after 50 years...parachutes completely intact...AN fittings that looked days old...it was amazing stuff.

[Loren]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

Kee Bird B-29

http://yarchive.net/mil/b29_recovery.html

Bob Vanderveen and wife own/run a cafe up the street

[Freiburger]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

That site has been on our links page since the start!

http://www.carjunkietv.com/links.html

[VTJUNK]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

Sorry, Never saw it there.

[Screaming Detroit]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

Kee Bird B-29

http://yarchive.net/mil/b29_recovery.html

Bob Vanderveen and wife own/run a cafe up the street

The key bird was a horrible accident its to bad they didn't dismantle it take it out of there in pieces them reassemble it somewhere if something did happen it could have been saved especially a plane in such great shape

[Loren]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

Everybody familiar with it was/still-is just sick about it. They considered hauling it out in parts but that would have cost many times what trying to fly it out would have, so they risked doing it this way. Those guys all spent themselves about into bankruptcy as it was and weren't getting the help they hoped for. For a long time Bob went to whatever local airshow/event selling videos to try to get some of his money back.

They almost did it, and failed...then there was only second-guessing and Mon. AM quarterbacking to live with. Tough spot to be in.

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

God, what a story. I'm not an avaition guy, so I had never heard about that. What an incredibly balls out plan and the fact that they were able to come so close is an amazing testament to their dedication.

I wish it had turned out differently for them.

Brian

[Fordplay0621]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

Spent a long time on the Site checking out all the info. Thanx...

[L98camino]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

Thanks for the link to the crash site data.

I watched the film of the Kee Bird recovery attempt. If I remember correctly they had to do the work over two seasons. The first season was cut short after the lead mechanic became very ill. He never recovered and died shortly after. I remember one scene of him climbing down off an engine and lying down on the wood floor of a make shift shelter, he looked terrible. They were really working hard to get the B-29 flyable.

The fire started when they were trying to taxi to the runway. The plane was bouncing around on the rough surface and they figure a fuel line broke on the apu. Tragic end to a heroic effort.

[ls7gto]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

here is a link to our local air museaum P-61b "black widow" rescue. there is only 4 left and the other 3 are static displays. it is nothing short of incredable what they went thru to recover the plane. I was there when they rolled it outside for the public for the first time ;D. still a long way to go....
http://www.maam.org/p61.html Doug

[ls7gto]

Re: WWII American Aircraft Crash Site Database

This is what I get to see fly over the house on occasion. http://www.maam.org/airshow/b25.htm