X MARKS THE SPOT

[Jack Cook]

THIS IS FOR ALL OF YOU READY TO THROW CAUTION INTO THE WIND AND GO RECOVER YOUR OWN WWII WARBIRD. ON JUNE 2, 1945 A P-38L LIGHTNING "HEADY HEDY" s/n 44-25441 #407 OF THE 44TH FTR. SQ. 13TH AF FLOWN BY 1LT SANDY SANTOMASSINO FLYING FROM MORET FIELD, ZAMBOANGA IN THE PHILIPPINES MADE A WATER LANDING OFF THE EAST COAST OF THE ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA IN TAGUITE BAY. SADLY THE LT DROWNED BUT THE P-38 IS ONLY 50 YARDS OFF SHORE. THE EXACT POSITION OFF THE CRASH IS REPORTED HAS 7' 17MIN NORTH LATITUDE AND 122' 16MIN 30SEC NORTH LONGITUDE. SO GET THOSE GPS'S FIRED UP, MARK THE X ON YOUR TREASURE MAPS AND GET GOING.

[airnutz]

By now, she'll be thick with growth...and thin from corrosion..a pattern ship, at best...or a fun snorkel with some nice photos! There's a lot more
workable bits on land to work with.

Plus, we got the impending bounty frome the Phillipine Ravine. I'm going
fer' my camera and snorkel....

[HarvardIV]

Jack:

Interesting info., but Find us one in a lake.

Thanks

[tom d. friedman]

there are countless fresh water lakes all through the former ww2 pacific!!! what alot of them must hold defies the imagination!!

[airnutz]

I agree Rob,there are lots of "goodies" we drive by, or cast a lure over
every day. I admire Chris for having the resources and time to go follow
his dream in the southern Pacific Rim. I wish I had the health and wealth
to do the same. I also would be a little more patient in my timing..given
what the current world and legal events that are occurring now.

But I question, what he is leaving behind in his own "neck of the woods"?
Arizona is one of the "epicenters" of aviation history, documentation, and
possesses a climate complementary to the preservation of aircraft.

There are so many aviation and military retirees...they have got to be
hoarding "little jewels" in barns and garages. I have little jewels here..but
some of the 'ol guys want top $$ for an unrestored aircraft! I consider
$15K for a dilapidated incomplete L-3..rather excessive..so I keep hunting.
And I wait ...patience is a b*tch..but it is also a virtue!