Through my internet crawling, I have found 2 B-17s that have not been previously mentioned as being discovered on any warbird list or forum that I know of. They are underwater, and according to the divers I talked to, they are complete minus some banged-up front ends. Serial numbers and aircraft histories are known as well. Both were ditched, one during a ferry flight and the other after a mission.
Scott, I don't know if you would want these in your registry or not. If anyone wants the aircraft info with a few pictures, let me know and I can post them here.
B-17F, B-17G wartime wrecks found underwater
- OldBillB17F
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:13 am
- Location: West of Kansas City, MO
- OldBillB17F
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:13 am
- Location: West of Kansas City, MO
B-17F 41-24516 "Meltin Pot"
Ditched on the night of September 11th 1942 off of Lough Foyle, Ireland. This plane was brand new and did not see combat. Aircraft was flown by Captain William Curtis Melton.
According to sources, the local diving club found it intact in 2001. Artifacts taken from the crash, including preserved A-10 oxygen masks, can be viewed at the Maritime Museum in Greencastle. Waters are extremely dark and foliage covers the majority of the aircraft as this photograph shows.
Waist gun with armour plate attached
B-17G 42-38008 "Clay Pigeon"
Ditched off the coast of Oskarshamn, Swedan after a bombing raid on Berlin in late 1943. Flown by a 2nd LT. Matichka. Wreck is in remarkable condition.
Ditched on the night of September 11th 1942 off of Lough Foyle, Ireland. This plane was brand new and did not see combat. Aircraft was flown by Captain William Curtis Melton.
According to sources, the local diving club found it intact in 2001. Artifacts taken from the crash, including preserved A-10 oxygen masks, can be viewed at the Maritime Museum in Greencastle. Waters are extremely dark and foliage covers the majority of the aircraft as this photograph shows.
Waist gun with armour plate attached
B-17G 42-38008 "Clay Pigeon"
Ditched off the coast of Oskarshamn, Swedan after a bombing raid on Berlin in late 1943. Flown by a 2nd LT. Matichka. Wreck is in remarkable condition.