Warbird Information Exchange

I read that dive site thread. It would be an interesting spin to the story if it is indeed an Army or USMC plane. That might kick the Navy out of the discussion. Although the USMC connection might allow the Navy to try and claim it. Very interesting project over there to ID exactly what mishap it was. Looks like it is narrowed down to 3 mishaps.

Hi all, Tony Grogan, one of the divers diving on this wreck asked me to post a link to the diving forum where there is a discussion going on about this wreck. the thread is at http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.ph ... 092&page=5 but the specific still pictures he posted are at
http://www.spearboard.com/showpost.php? ... stcount=62

He just wants to know if we have any further ideas about this aircraft and why it's where it is at.

JUPITER - Divers from the United States Navy have set up shop off the coast of Jupiter.

They're exploring a plane wreck from World War II. It was discovered by local diver Randy Jordan.

"I really feel like finally, we're going to find out who belonged to that airplane and if somebody is in it." said Jordan.

He stumbled upon the wreckage of the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver in December. Instructed to not touch the tiny two-seater, all he could do was wonder.

"I was starting to lose hope we were going to find out too much about it, it's in 185 feet of water," said Jordan.

But two weeks ago, the Navy called to say they'd be coming with a team of divers and with archaeologist Heather Brown.

"We're here to preserve the history and heritage of the Navy. This is one of the planes that helped fight World War II," said Brown.

Brown suspects that the plane was part of the many training missions conducted near South Florida. But to find out for certain - and whether anyone went down with the plane - is to find the plane's records.

Wednesday, divers unscrewed this corroded data plate from the plane's tail.

After 68 years underwater, it'll have to be inspected by a lab to see if numbers are still stamped in.

"Most of the other identification is painted on and won't survive underwater. This is our one really big chance to find an ID number on it," said Brown.

Also part of their goal is creating an action plan to preserve the site, given it's unlikely the plane can ever be moved.

The effects of time have corroded the metal.

"A generation from now, when no one is alive who was in that war, we'll still have keepsakes and sites from it," said Brown.The archaeologist says military records show that no one is missing from this particular area who could have been on board.

The Navy plans to spend the rest of the work week here exploring the wreckage, but this could be only the first of many trips to this particular crash site.