P-39s in Panama

[HarvardIV]

Hey Ladies and Gentlemen:

I was reading in Air & Space Smithsonian Nov 2004 issue about some P-39s, A-20s, and P-40s left in a junk pile in the jungle in Panama. Has anyone read this article? According to it the author would play out there when he was in junior high, and he stumbled across these aircraft complete with oxygen masks and other such items. They were in an area known as the Panama Air Depot. Evidently these weren't bulldozed, just left as is. Any WIXers in Panama?

[Tulio]

Don't know if there are any WIXers, but I know that there are at least two LAAHSers there.

One of them is a pilot flying with COPA airlines, and he has been conducting some searches of crash sites.

The other, is Mr. Germinal Sarasqueta, one of Panama's foremost aviation historians.

You can post a message for them, at the forum here:

www.laahs.com

(with apologies to Scott for the plug)

Saludos,


Tulio

[lowflight]

Hi,

I spent about 6 months in Panama last year and am heading back to start up a helicopter company. http://www.lifeflightpanama.com

I have heard of sightings of aircraft in the jungle there but no definate locations.

I then read a book I've hung on to called "Mustang Ace" by Robert J. Goebel who describes his times in Panama traing before heading to Africa and Europe during WWII.

Helicopter is the best way to see or search Panama so if anyone has any ideas of locations to look in please let me know or get a hold of me to chat.

Like most guys I'd love to track down one of these old birds.

JLT

[hang the expense]

I was stationed down there in the early 80s and as a civilian later on. Good luck as Im sure you will find things. The problem is during the fire season.Fires rage out of control all the timeso its a good chance it has been burned a couple of times since ww2. There were p-40Bs early on in the war stationed there on both ends of the ditch and a number of crashes in the mountains outside of howard afb on the pacific side. Oh beware of the govt of panama and never travel alone.jmo

[lowflight]

HI there,

Yes I am aware of the issues

Fortunately I have good freinds and sponsors. I'm on my way on the 26th Mar. to get a few things setup with my partners but we expect to be out there from Sept this year.

I was trying to locate one of the airfileds mentioned called La Jolla nr. Pecore if you have any ideas? I haven't been able to locate it on any of the maps I have as yet.

I've read about the issues in recovering the aircraft but for me it would be cool to just locate atleast one for pictures, as clearly removing it from Panama is not neceassrily possible.
J

[hang the expense]

How old is your map. Check with locals.

[Tulio]

A good reference would be the book "Alae Supra Canalem" [Wings over the Canal] written by Dan Hagedorn.

It documents the 6th AF activities in Panama and Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America before and during WW-II

It has lots of serial number data, tons of photos, maps, diagrams, etc.

Good luck!

Saludos,


Tulio

[DoraNineFan]

I remember a newspaper story back in the '80s that said that 82nd Airborne soldiers performing some training down in Panama had discovered the wreckage of a crashed P-39 (may have been a P-63.) I also remember that they would not disclose the exact location since the pilot had been buried near the crash.

That's all I recall about the story and I never heard anything else about it. Perhaps there is a record of an MIA recovery somewhere.

Last edited by DoraNineFan on Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:23 am, edited 1 time in total.

[TAdan]

Hey Ladies and Gentlemen:

I was reading in Air & Space Smithsonian Nov 2004 issue about some P-39s, A-20s, and P-40s left in a junk pile in the jungle in Panama. Has anyone read this article? According to it the author would play out there when he was in junior high, and he stumbled across these aircraft complete with oxygen masks and other such items. They were in an area known as the Panama Air Depot. Evidently these weren't bulldozed, just left as is. Any WIXers in Panama?

I actually remember reading that article very well...

[lowflight]

Hi,

Yup I keep hearing abou the article but haven't read it.

If anyone has a copy please let me know.

Thanks!

J

[TAdan]

Hi,

Yup I keep hearing abou the article but haven't read it.

If anyone has a copy please let me know.

Thanks!

J

I know I have the magazine but it is buried deep within my closet...and if I try to open that closet I may not make it back alive...

[Nathan]

If there had been many forest fires then I suspect the crash sites to be completely destroyed.

But, I hope what is told is true. I would love to find out that there are still some more surviving early P-40's and P-39's. Any chance there could be a A-17 wreck or B-18 wreck also?

[Versatile]

A good reference would be the book "Alae Supra Canalem" [Wings over the Canal] written by Dan Hagedorn.

It documents the 6th AF activities in Panama and Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America before and during WW-II

It has lots of serial number data, tons of photos, maps, diagrams, etc.

Good luck!

Saludos,


Tulio

I have read this book after Tulio recommended it to me. There are very many aircraft that just went missing. All types as well. Full of details.

[lowflight]

I have the book on order now and hope to get it soon.

Ciao!

J

[Versatile]

This was a P-40 crash. A good read.

http://www.siliconvalleyreads.org/forum ... OPIC_ID=23

I doubt you will ever see it. You never know what someone may have dragged upon the beach.