Author Topic: B-25C recovered from lake! (Read 373 times)

gofaster · « **on:** September 22, 2005, 08:32:04 AM »

From my weekly AvWeb email news:

Quote

B-25C Bomber Recovered From South Carolina Lake

It's been known for 15 years exactly where a B-25C bomber rested on the bottom of Lake Murray, 150 feet deep, and finally, about 9 o'clock Monday night, a crane lifted it to the surface, as hundreds watched from shore. The operation had taken 10 years of planning and about a week of work at the South Carolina site by a team of several dozen people. The bomber ditched during a training mission on April 4, 1943, but the crew escaped safely. Monday night, the workers drained water and about 800 gallons of fuel from the wreck and then lowered it into a cradle. Over the rest of this week, the airplane will be taken apart, and then it will be shipped to the Southern Museum of Flight, in Birmingham, Ala., for restoration. Eventually it will become the centerpiece of a new wing at the museum. It's said to be one of the oldest B-25 bombers in existence. On Tuesday, crews found five machine guns and a World War II bomber jacket at the site. Bob Siegler, leader of the recovery expedition, said more dives will continue to search for a propeller and other artifacts. The right engine was separated from the airframe and its location is unknown.

The B-25C was the first model of the Mitchell bomber to be mass produced. Fans of Air Warrior will remember it as the 2nd most favored selection for Death Star missions.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2005, 10:29:15 AM »

I wonder when 800 gallons of fuel will be considered a treasure hunt.

Hangtime · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2005, 10:41:03 AM »

never.

stored gas becomes unuseable in about 1-2 years. Fuel stabilizer treatments can extend that to about 4 years.

Xargos · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2005, 10:58:33 AM »

I dove on that wreck several times about 12 years ago, never thought they would bring it up. Visability down there was about 2 feet, if that.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2005, 12:13:03 PM »

Ok fess up.. you have a B25 engine in your garage.

Xargos · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2005, 12:29:05 PM »

It wouldn't supprise me if one of those catfish down there ate the engine.

Know anywhere I can get ammo for a 50cal...

Xargos · « **Reply #6 on:** September 22, 2005, 12:33:19 PM »

Other divers where telling me they found another B-25 not far from the first one but she was in 200 feet of water. I never attempted to dive it because it was much to deep for me.

J_A_B · « **Reply #7 on:** September 22, 2005, 01:35:17 PM »

"Fans of Air Warrior will remember it as the 2nd most favored selection for Death Star missions."

Pointless fact of the day--AW had the B-25J.

J_A_B

Bluedog · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2005, 08:57:21 PM »

I didnt realise fuel went 'bad' if stored for too long.
That's interesting.

Dont s'pose you could give me a quick rundown on why that is Hang?

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2005, 07:30:20 AM »

At least motor oil conserves pretty well. I remember seeing a document where they raised a german bomber from the english channel. They analysed the motor oil from the recovered engine and it still met WW2 era standards.

Reschke · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2005, 07:57:48 AM »

Wow, they are bringing it here to B'ham to do the restoration. That museum is not far from the airport here in town and its a great place to go spend a few hours walking through with my oldest son. The have a bunch of jets that they are working on for that new section of the museum.