However, time and quagga mussels are hastening the deterioration of these planes. It was located by a review of accident documentation and sonar scanning. The plane, after restoration, will be displayed at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. A remotely operated submersible photographed it and fitted nit with a sling and inflatable balloon.
The plane was lost Nov. 24, 1944, as Ensign Joseph Lokites, now 86, with about 300 hours of flying time attempted his third of six required landings on the USS Wolverine.
He gave a phone interview from Des Moines, Iowa, and said, "It just crashed. I guess it ran out of gas or something. I took over from another pilot." He was able to jump out into the frigid water before it sank. "It's not cold when you're fighting for life or death. I was lucky."
It is too bad that Mr. Lokites was not in Waukegan when the plane was pulled out of the water, but I imagine there was no way they could have known it was his.
Recovered From the Past. --Da Coot
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