2 TBD Devastators found off of Marshall Islands

[FlyingFortB17]

I receive a good amount of warbird-related news from the WIX, but I had not heard of the discovery and planned recovery of these 2 TBD Devastators mentioned on the TIGHAR website. Make sure you watch the videos!

http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Devastator/tosave.htm

[Jack Cook]

I had not heard of the discovery and planned recovery of these 2 TBD Devastators mentioned on the TIGHAR website.

Where's Rob Roar when you need him?

[bdk]

Maybe he has joined Tighar?

[Elwyn]

At least they aren't trying to relate it to Earhart's missing Lockheed.

[FlyingFortB17]

Is the TIGHAR organization to to be taken seriously? Forgive me if this is a rhetorical question...

[Jack Cook]

At least they aren't trying to relate it to Earhart's missing Lockheed

Don't be so sure....2 engines and 2 tails!

Is the TIGHAR organization to to be taken seriously?

They're all smoke , mirrors and PR. We're still waiting for their first
recovery 20 years (or so) and counting. I'd love to see them try and get those TBDs.. RER & the Navy would all over them like white on rice.

[airnutz]

Maybe he has joined Tighar?

HaHa!

[airnutz]

I receive a good amount of warbird-related news from the WIX, but I had not heard of the discovery and planned recovery of these 2 TBD Devastators mentioned on the TIGHAR website. Make sure you watch the videos!

http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Devastator/tosave.htm

According to the TIGHAR page, The Next Phase, they'll be there in Sept./Oct
to survey further...

"as planned, an Evaluation Expedition in September/October of this year will conduct an engineering assessment of the aircraft and also collect small detached components and sample material for scientific testing by the U.S. Navy’s National Museum of Naval Aviation and by Texas A&M University's Center for Marine Archaeology and Conservation. The tests will permit the design of a recovery and conservation plan that will maximize the chances of achieving the project's ultimate goal: to save a Devastator, and in the process, conduct the first true archaeological recovery and preservation of an intact historic aircraft from an undersea environment.


In the Marshall Islands, the traditional chiefs ("iroij") of Jaluit and the Jaluit local government have approved the recovery and conservation of the aircraft “according to the best available techniques and technology of historic preservation.” In a formal agreement signed last year, they appointed TIGHAR to be their "exclusive manager and agent in all matters relating to the recovery, conservation and exhibition of the deeper of the two Douglas TBD-1 aircraft in Jaluit lagoon. We delegate to TIGHAR full authority to manage the aircraft on our behalf and to work closely with the Historic Preservation Office to assure compliance with the Historic Preservation Laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands."

TIGHAR is also working directly with senior officials of the national government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands including President Kessai H. Note, the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Foreign Affairs, the Historic Preservation Officer, the General Manager of the EPA, and with the American Ambassador to the Marshall Islands. Without exception, all have been supportive and positive about the way TIGHAR is proceeding with this historic project.

TIGHAR's 2004 survey and documentation of the aircraft was done under the auspices of a permit granted by the RMI Historic Preservation Office. This year’s expedition will require a similar permit. A TIGHAR delegation has just returned from Majuro where government officials were briefed on the latest Devastator Project plans/progress and again expressed their support for our approach. "
.......................................................................................................................................

Apparently their doing all the permit hoops and the Navy is gagging up
some funding in the Recovery Phase...

Because this year's anticipated expedition will involve the actual recovery of material, TIGHAR will also need a permit from the U.S. Naval Historical Center’s Underwater Archaeology Branch. The head of that office, Dr. Robert Neyland, is working closely with us to make sure our permit application meets all the Navy's requirements. Schedule permitting, Dr. Neyland will also join the TIGHAR expedition team in the field.

We won’t know what the full recovery/conservation budget will be until the sample testing is done and the plan is finalized. One of the main reasons for recovering test material is to reduce the unknowns. Otherwise, erring on the side of caution could be needlessly expensive. The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation has already pledged the initial $200,000 toward a full recovery conditional, of course, upon Navy approval of the plan.

With the evaluation and permitting process on track, the Devastator Project's greatest need is now funding. It will cost an estimated $125,000 to do the work scheduled for 2006. To help us meet that goal, the Edward E. and Marie L. Matthews Family Foundation has offered a challenge grant that will match, two-for-one, all contributions to TIGHAR for the Devastator Project up to a total of $83,000. In other words, if you donate $100, TIGHAR will receive $300. A thousand dollars becomes three thousand, and so on. We feel sure that you, the members of TIGHAR, will embrace such a generous offer and help us keep this historic project moving forward.
.........................................................................................................................

Also, there was a Pacific Preservation Symposium in January 2006 in which
one of the subjects was, "Tom King, TIGHAR and the TBD in Jaluit: Complexities
to be Considered in Planning Submerged Historic Aircraft Recovery." I don
know yet if a copy of that oration is available, yet.

Another thing the TIGHAR site yielded was that the Naval Institute Press
published Gillespie's book on Earhart, "Finding Amelia" (Uh Huh)

About TIGHAR, in the past they have been iffy, IMO, but some of their info
has been helpful and informative. If the Navy approves their recovery plan
TIGHAR may make their first save.

[tom d. friedman]

i have my pro's & cons on tighar as an organization.... mostly cons, but if they could pull this off it would most certainly help in their credibility department!!!

[Glyn]

Is the TIGHAR organization to to be taken seriously? Forgive me if this is a rhetorical question...

I dunno, a red flag for me is the fact that their website says "One of the most significant aircraft in the history of naval aviation was the Douglas TBD-1 "Devastator" torpedo bomber".

[Nathan]

"One of the most significant aircraft in the history of naval aviation was the Douglas TBD-1 "Devastator" torpedo bomber".

I kinda have to agree with this.

TBD's were credited with several hits on a Japanese Carrier during the Coral Sea and contributed to that carrier being sunk!

A lot of bad rap was given to the TBD during the Battle of Midway when only 6 TBD's survived the whole battle. But the 6 TBF's faired no better during Midway loosing 5 and the sole survive was unflyable, yet everyone would say the TBF was the best torpedo-bomber of the war. In my opinion torpedo-bombing was suicidial no matter what plane you had, but it was a job that had to be done. The losses of the TBD at Midway was just plan old bad luck. Remember we(USA) were desprete and were commited to send many planes out. They knew they weren't coming back. Also trained crews was another factor.

Also remember the TBD's drew down the Japanese CAP so that the SBD's would have a clean run with no fighters arounds. I'd say here, here for all those TBD crews that alowd the USA to win the battle and the truning point in the Pacific War.

Cheers,
Nathan

[Glyn]

Hey, I'm half kidding and poking fun!

That being said, the TBD was revolutionary when it went into service and had several "firsts" - US carrier based monoplane, enclosed cockpit, folding wings etc. There is no doubt it was interesting aircraft and pioneered several advances in technology but when it came time to carry out the mission it was designed and intended for it was an unabashed failure. To me, that is the mark of a successful aircraft and ultimately judges its significance.

[tom d. friedman]

glyn, your statements are 110 % true, but by the time the sh*t hit the fan at midway the devastator was woefully outmoded & out classed. snail slow, undergunned, & a beer can had more armor, & the mk 13 torpedo was as reliable as a turd in a pool. still....... a historically significant bird none the less. if tighar har!! har!! is successfull it will be a boon for them public relations wise. they need to clean up their "national enquirer" image. they have some some very savvy members, but some that are also a stain on their reputation.

Regardless of who salvages those airplanes (or at least one of them) it would be just criminal to leave them there. That there is that much left after almost seven decades is virtually a miracle.

Dan

[tom d. friedman]

amen!!! it's a super rare gift that's waiting!!! time is not on aviation history's side with the salt water eating at it!!! do any survive in museums??