Saturday, August 21, 2010

World War II Plane Rises in San Diego-- Part 2

The SB2Cs had several nicknames, including "The Beast" which the article called this one. Also, according to Wikipedia, it was called "Big Tailed Beast," Two-Cee" and "Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class" after its designation and handling problems.

From the San Diego Union-Tribune article.

The plane was found by a fisherman named Duane Johnson who was using a fish finder when he came across the shape of the Helldiver and reported it.

A & T Recovery of Chicago recovered it after being hired for $125,000 by the National Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

From a July 21st Union Tribune article.

Around 30,000 Helldivers of different classes were built for the Navy during the war. Not many remain as most crashed or were shot down. They suffered from structural weaknesses, unreliable electronics and engines that tended to stall which was the problem that brought this one down.

Lower Otay, or Savage Dam, was built in 1919. Besides fishing, it is also used to train the US Olympic rowing team.

More to Come-- DaCoot

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