San Diego Devastator wreck recovery effort revealed

[old iron]

Imritger wrote:

Since the (drastically needed) change at the NHC, we've seen the recovery of a combat veteran F6F-3, a couple Dauntlesses, a rare SB2C-4, and an ultra-rare F4U-1... and now they're going after one of the last true prizes in Naval Aviation archaeology, a TBD Devastator.

So, how about the Curtiss F9C-2 "Sparrowhawk" at the USS Macon crash site?? Also off San Diego, maybe a two-fer?

[Russ Matthews]

So, how about the Curtiss F9C-2 "Sparrowhawk" at the USS Macon crash site?? Also off San Diego, maybe a two-fer?

The Macon wreck is actually located off Point Sur (closer to San Francisco) ... and smack in the middle of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

[the330thbg]

What could possibly be left?

[airnutz]

So, how about the Curtiss F9C-2 "Sparrowhawk" at the USS Macon crash site?? Also off San Diego, maybe a two-fer?

The Macon wreck is actually located off Point Sur (closer to San Francisco) ... and smack in the middle of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Tho that hurdle may be passable if the right buttons were pushed, being a designated US Navy gravesite is pretty rough to get by.

[Russ Matthews]

What could possibly be left?

http://www.mbari.org/news/news_releases/2006/macon-images-postcruise.html

[DaveM2]

When I did my underwater recovery articles Director Rassmussen said the Sparrowhawk would not be likely be recovered unless there was a current Navy recovery operation which they could 'piggy back' on.....so highly unlikely.

Dave

[whistlingdeath77]

ok guys,lets bring her up.no games,no court battles

i'm with you. how long can we hold our breath for?

[airnutz]

When I did my underwater recovery articles Director Rassmussen said the Sparrowhawk would not be likely be recovered unless there was a current Navy recovery operation which they could 'piggy back' on.....so highly unlikely.

Dave

So Dave, the best scenario is if the navy contracts a support boat out of San Francisco to pick up the TBD, and on the
way to do that they swing by point Sur and recover a Sparrowhawk or 2 on the way?

[agent86]

When I did my underwater recovery articles Director Rassmussen said the Sparrowhawk would not be likely be recovered unless there was a current Navy recovery operation which they could 'piggy back' on.....so highly unlikely.

Dave

So Dave, the best scenario is if the navy contracts a support boat out of San Francisco to pick up the TBD, and on the
way to do that they swing by point Sur and recover a Sparrowhawk or 2 on the way?

dont hold yer breaath,you'll be long dead and cold before this happens

[whistlingdeath77]

well.....at least bring me to shore so the seagulls have something to eat

[Russ Matthews]

I pulled some stills off the EAA Facebook page (which I presume are screen caps from the video A&T released last week).
They give us a chance to more closely study the best images currently available to the public documenting the wreck of 0377...


Pilot's cockpit


Co-pilot/Bombardier position


Radioman/Gunner's seat


Starboard wing

[agent86]

I pulled some stills off the EAA Facebook page (which I presume are screen caps from the video A&T released last week).
They give us a chance to more closely study the best images currently available to the public documenting the wreck of 0377...


Pilot's cockpit


Co-pilot/Bombardier position


Radioman/Gunner's seat


Starboard wing

It actually looks to be in rather incredible condition.

[whistlingdeath77]

did they take the fish too?

[agent86]

did they take the fish too?

The fish were dindin,free sushi

[whistlingdeath77]

poor fishy