Sunken warbird pictures

[maxum96]

I found these pictures on ABC News' website

http://abcnews.go.com/US/photos/sunken-world-war-ii-allied-aircraft-30914590/image-30914719

[Warbird Kid]

I know its a bit ridiculous but.... Salvage them all!

[Russ Matthews]

Looks like ABC News picked up on the same series of photos recently featured in a Daily Mail article ...

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=55825

[jdvoss]

During WWII Roi-Namur was a USMC air base and after V-J Day scads of aircraft were dumped into the lagoon near Mellu Island. The Commando's are R5C's and the Mitchells are PBJ's belonging to VMB-613. Curiously VMB-613 is the ONLY WWII aircraft squadron whose entire complement of aircraft still exists!! See http://www.VMB-613.com for more details and photos. Roi-Namur is now a US Army facility and is part of the Ronald Reagan Test Site and of course is CLOSED to curious outsiders.

A very few relics remain on the island like this stack of what appeared to be spare TBM wings.

[jdvoss]

A few more photos of Roi-Namur war-time relics...

A wing of an unknown Japanese type of aircraft sticks out from a pile of wreckage. What appears to be a hill in the background is actually a pile of twisted aluminum aircraft parts and pieces all held together with many years of vine infestation.




The original Japanese airfield Operations building and associated bomb shelter.



Five inch British guns captured by the Japanese (from Singapore or Hong Kong) are spotted around the airfield. Its live 5 inch shells were still scattered inside the reventment.

[airmanual]

Thanks. Intesresting photos. Any info on when they were taken?

Laurent

[wendovertom]

Laurent,

If I have not misunderstood the thread the photos of Roi-Namur posted by jdvoss are the northern most part of the Kwajalein atoll.

Tom P.

[jdvoss]

Tom,

You are so correct in that Roi-Namur is indeed the most northerly point of the atoll. Kwajalein Island is about 60 miles south and is the most southerly island. During my time there (mid 60's) the US Army had six C-47's running a commuter service between the two Islands. Never a problem in going up to Roi. Just walked down to the air terminal and inquire if there was space for a passenger. If yes, you just got on... and they never took your name or organization. Looking at today's Google imagery of Roi I have to say they have really cleaned it up and have added a lot of facilities (i.e. looks attractive!)...and probably not as dangerous (e.g. lots of live ammo scattered about).

If anyone really wants to go there (18 month contract...tax free income!) do a google search on the Ronald Reagan Test Site. Lots of photos as well as links for job opportunities. If you are a graduate engineer (electrical, civil) they'll entertain your resume and of course start packing your SCUBA gear! Roi was / is primarily a MIT (Lincoln Labs) facility and they never really did reveal what they did there.

[zorro9]

Ukn F4U Corsair for now. Somewhere in the deep S. Pacific. Photo Wix/ via Brandi Mueller.

[DaveM2]

One of our best covers IMO, from way back when...

[p51]

A co-worker saw a news item on sunken warbirds and asked a question I'd never really pondered before:
Has anyone ever found one of these sunken planes with the pilot/crew still inside?

[gale_dono]

A co-worker saw a news item on sunken warbirds and asked a question I'd never really pondered before:
Has anyone ever found one of these sunken planes with the pilot/crew still inside?

A P-39 recovered in Russia somewhat recently, whose ID and other info escapes me, was found with the pilot still inside.

[zorro9]

It actually was a P-63A, Uln id for now. Being ferried by a young USSR pilot. This story is here somewhere in Wix. The pilot was given a military burial & the plane was recovered for later restoration. I read somewhere in my P-63 research data that these young pilots were told of a secret USSR factory who actually made these fine planes. The ID plate was obviously removed once they reached USSR territory & ferry crews. There is also rumors of 100s of P-63As still semi-abandoned in the former USSR!!

p.s You do not hear much about P-63 recovery & restorations. It's a bit expensive & not cost effective.

[DaveM2]

It actually was a P-63A, Uln id for now. Being ferried by a young USSR pilot. This story is here somewhere in Wix. The pilot was given a military burial & the plane was recovered for later restoration. I read somewhere in my P-63 research data that these young pilots were told of a secret USSR factory who actually made these fine planes. The ID plate was obviously removed once they reached USSR territory & ferry crews. There is also rumors of 100s of P-63As still semi-abandoned in the former USSR!!

p.s You do not hear much about P-63 recovery & restorations. It's a bit expensive & not cost effective.

Incorrect, the aircraft is P-39Q,44-2911. Now on display at the Niagara Aerospace Museum

Hundreds of P-63s semi abandoned - total rubbish.

[zorro9]

Dm2:

Good day!

I'll be glad to double ck my AAF S/ns for you on this particular aircraft. I was told by another P-63 buff that somewhere in the ferry flights the ID plates were removed. (2 of them).

Some 2 weeeeks ago there was a pic here in Wix in the former USSR of an abandoned P-63A & other MIG 21 fuselages in what it looks to be an abandoned USSR Museum or scrapyard. I'll dig for it & will post in the near future. Yess It was odd pic & place but the some samples still out there!!!

Additionally, c. 2004 SOF Mag published a pic of a recently found Cuban markings B-26 Invader on the E. Coast of Nicaragua S. of Pto Cabezas still with the crew in it. Some others are in SEA Cambodia & Laos area.

Last edited by zorro9 on Wed May 20, 2015 11:29 am, edited 1 time in total.