Lake Murray, SC Recoveries

[Shay]

Hi all
Since as of late, we're on the subject of State-side possible recoveries. I was reading about Lake Murray in South Carolina. Appearently it was used quite often for ditching of aircraft from the training base that is now Columbia Airport. From reports there multiple aircraft in the lake numbering at one estimate of 25 planes. Mainly B-25s. Does anyone have anymore information on this lake? Also does anyone know if the Navy fished an aircraft out of Lake Murray? Seems like this might be another Lake Michigan Treasure Trove. Thanks for any info.

Shay

[HarvardIV]

Hi Shay:

It looks like that lake is near your house. Do you have a side scan sonar?

Do you need one? Who's property is the lake?

Chris

[Jack Cook]

If your looking for a warbird in a lake. In the late 40s a P-51D of the 123rd Fighter Squadron Oregon ANG crashed into Lake Vancouver. This is about 5 miles NE of their base at Portland. The pilot was killed but I was told by another pilot in the squadron that the a/c was not salvaged.

[HarvardIV]

Hello Jack:

If the plane crashed in the lake and the pilot was killed, I'd imagine that the plane disentegrated. What were hte circumstances of the crash?

Chris

[Wolverine]

Doesn't a museum in SC have a B-25 that they just restored? My recollection is that the B-25 was named Carolina Girl. I believe that it was fished out of a lake.

Oh wait, here's the link. http://www.aerovintage.com/b25news.htm See November 04. More in a past (recent, though) Flight Journal issue.

[Jack Cook]

I don't remember the circumstances, but I seem to recall the pilot was injured and incapacitated and drowned in the wreck before rescue.

[Shay]

As far as the registry says Carolina Girl 44-28866 has never been in a lake. She led the typical Fire Bomber life through the 70s and 80s. Now there was a B-25 (41-13285) pulled out of Lake Greenwood back in 1983. Here a link to that B-25 with some good walk around photos.

http://s96920072.onlinehome.us/AWA1/101-200/walk125_B-25/walk125.htm

The Navy activity i was referring to is more recent as of 1997. I'll do some more digging to see what i find.

As for jumping in boat with a side scan. I'll have ask some friends of mine.

The Ditching of the mustang could be violent even a low speeds. As soon as that belly scoop bites that first big gulp of water, you better have braced yourself. Or you head might have date with the gunsight.

Shay

[O.P.]

If your looking for a warbird in a lake. In the late 40s a P-51D of the 123rd Fighter Squadron Oregon ANG crashed into Lake Vancouver. This is about 5 miles NE of their base at Portland. The pilot was killed but I was told by another pilot in the squadron that the a/c was not salvaged.

No way dude! I lived a mile away from there for 8 years. Most of my family and friends still live in the Portland/Vancouver area. What ya doin this summer Jack? Got a few days off somewhere in there? I can supply a boat and a warehouse and all of the labor we need. I know where the local scuba shop is in Vancouver. All we need is the side scan, heck, two or three of them, I think I could get two or three boats out there for a few days. Side scan, and a whole lotta info. Do you know where to look for the record of the crash?

[Shay]

Hey Rob
Why would the Navy be interested? Also these are Army B-25s and Lake Murray is land lock so what claim do they have? Do aircraft trapped in land locked lakes like this fall under this new law concerning the Navy and water wrecks?

Shay

[dj51d]

Why would the Navy be interested?

Because in their world the NHC believes they have control over any US Military equipment or vehicles of any kind that are underwater.

[HarvardIV]

Because in their world the NHC believes they have control over any US Military equipment or vehicles of any kind that are underwater.

I believe homer and Col. Rohr have the authority to grant permission for Lake Murray. Gentlemen, may I respectfully remove a plane from Lake Murray?

[HarvardIV]

Actually, I'm wondering how the Navy trades aircraft w/ collectors now? Let's say J. Travolta wants to trade an F7F for 2 ditched FM2's, how does the Navy allow it w/o NHC getting in the way? Does NHC say, "no you can't do it w/o our permission and the Navy's permission"? Then what happens when the NHC says "no", and the Navy says "yes". Then the Admiral calls Wendy and tells her she will be fired if she doesn't say "yes"?

Sounds a little top heavy. Kind of like those other government organizations that exist only to justify their own existence. ie-gov't social workers who call themselves civil servants, but are rude and unservant like. Ring a bell?

[HarvardIV]

This should be in another thread since we are talking Navy and not USAF. Anyway, wondering how Tallichet traded his Barracuda for the FM2?

[HarvardIV]

So, where did they find her? Or is she a secret weapon developed by the Navy?

[Shay]

Forgive me for my ignorance. Who is Wendy and what role does she play in the scheme of things?

Shay