P-47G (whats left of it) discovered on Ocean Isle Beach March 2002 after storm

**Vertigo** · 04-12-2012 09:03 PM

First post with images so I hope I did it right. The airplane was identified as a Hellcat by a local historian, but being a WWII aircraft buff I knew other wise and found the data plate to prove it to the newspaper. It was my one and only moment of fame. The parts were being yanked out of the sand with a back hoe. Believe me I tried real hard to get the 50cal. out of the wing but it was full of sand and I could not turn it over by myself. It was apparently scuttled over 40 years ago by blowing it up. I believe it was because the tide was coming in, because the wing spar bolts were removed, and the spar fittings were in great shape. They cut a whole on top of one wing and pulled the wheel and brake assembly, the axle was visible and the axle nut was gone. The other wheel assembly was burnt during the scuttle as seen in picture, probably ran out of time possibly due to high tide.

The report is that the pilot was on a training mission out of Wilmington with his wingman and ran out of fuel then ditched on the beach. His wingman came back around to check on him and then headed for Wilmington, but he ran out of fuel and landed on Holden Beach. I understand his aircraft was successfully salvaged since he landed more inland. I will find the newspaper article and scan it for posting.

**Aaron Brooks Wolters** · 04-12-2012 09:09 PM

Not much left. Is there any thing left that could be used for spares or is all in to bad of shape?

**Vertigo** · 04-12-2012 09:26 PM

Apparently there were a few pieces that were salvaged and gone by the time I got there. The aircraft was taken to was taken to Charlotte Air Museum in North Carolina. I was told they were going to rebuild it. How, I don't know. The last I heard was that it has vanished from there. Who knows where the 50 went. I will inquire when I visit.

**Aaron Brooks Wolters** · 04-12-2012 10:30 PM

Please keep us posted. I am interested in this. The Thunderbolt being my favorite of all time.

**GrauGeist** · 04-12-2012 11:33 PM

Having the dataplate is actually better than grabbing a .50 cal...

**A4K** · 04-13-2012 12:22 AM

Great find mate! The paintwork is remarkably well preserved, be great to see that section atleast displayed 'as is' for historical reference...

**Gnomey** · 04-13-2012 03:51 PM

Great find! It does look well preserved as Evan says especially considering where it has being lying. Keep us informed of any updates. Would be nice to see it on display even in its un-restored state.

**vikingBerserker** · 04-13-2012 04:25 PM

That's so cool, thanks for posting.

**Airframes** · 04-13-2012 05:05 PM

Agree with all, and thanks for posting.

**Wayne Little** · 04-14-2012 04:33 AM

Yep, thanks for that!

**Vertigo** · 04-16-2012 08:56 PM

Still waiting to hear from the Museum that salvaged the airplane.

**Vertigo** · 04-16-2012 09:04 PM

I forgot to mention that we have a B-25 at the bottom of a lake not to far from here. The call it the Baden Lake Bomber. Any one have enough money to salvage it? The news said a search team found it a few years ago, but there wasn't any evidence to prove that they actually did see it at the bottom. It was reported to be covered in sediment.

**A4K** · 04-17-2012 12:17 AM

Be nice to see that come up if true!

**bobbysocks** · 04-17-2012 08:28 PM

the feds wouldnt let you keep the 50 cal anyways...maybe after a LOT of paperwork and red tape. how deep is the plane or lake? and where is it located?