Rufe's in Kiska

[HarvardIV]

Since we've been talking about warbird recoveries, I think it would be interesting to mention Kiska. During raids in 1942 and 1943, Zero's on floats were sunk in Kiska Harbor. Since the sea water is cold there, it's possible the planes are well preserved.

Maybe someone was planning on going scuba diving there this Christmas? Nice and cool, anyway if anyone knows anything keep everybody advised.

I know there are still Sakae engines there, and I believe still midget subs in their pens.

Chris

[setter]

Hi all

From what has been extracted from off PNG and other places it appears Japanese aircraft are LESS likely to corrode than other aircraft due I think to the composition of the metal and/or the paint treatment. I said less likely not totally - everything corrodes and it is unlikely that they could yeild a flying rebuild but certainly a static machine could be possible. There are a couple of these submerged off PNG that have been photographed over the years and seem to be in quite good shape.

Regards
JohnP

[Jack Cook]

Having spent some time in the area when my P-3 squadron was flying out of Adak. I can honestly say that anyone who wants to go scuba diving up there is welcome to it. In the winter-better yet! What a miserably rotten place! When hell froze over they renamed it Adak. I think most of the Rufe there were straffed and bombed anyhow.

[wendovertom]

Heres a bit of fuel for the fire - this is from the NPS website regarding the island and harbor.

"During the course of the project, 25 side-scan targets were located. Fewer than half were dived upon. Additional sites located included landing craft, likely both Japanese and US; dump sites containing numerous 3-inch shells and other debris; and aircraft wreckage, one of which may be a B-17."

Tom P