[Hornchurch]

Just been chatting elsewhere to lanslide who was talking about T.B.D. Devastators.

I related to him about a case I'd heard back in '98 (when I first went on the internet, at home in London).

I was researching about crash-landed Bombers (now lying) on the Sea-bed; when I stumbled on ACTUAL photo's of this a/c.


It's Re; the World's last & only remaining Douglas T.B.D. Devastator.


Well, it's been TEN-Years (for me) since I heard the update of the legal wrangling........so, in a lull I went "Googling".


Found this amazingly detailed article, regarding the subject (T.B.D. "0353"~) & the Legal-wrangling over her (intact) airframe


BTW = She's also a Genuine combat veteran...... From the USS.Yorktown;

..........used against Jap' carriers in Battle, at Coral-Sea !


UserFriendly Strip Comments


I suggest you guys pay special-attention to the last line....(regarding the U.S. Gov't)

........"... preferring to leave '0353' at the bottom of the Atlantic..."

Whaddya reckon ?

[1250ships]

There are two Devastators in Jaluit Lagoon, Marshall Islands. Lost February 1st, 1942. You can read about them at these links:

American Aircraft
American Aircraft, page 2

The site was visited in 2006 with full cooperation from the Navy and the Marshall Islands government. Some material was recovered for study so that the condition of the materials could be determined along with the best techniques to protect the aircraft once they were removed from the water. The area the planes are in has never been surveyed for navigation and a survey must be done so that a large enough ship can be moved into the area to lift the aircraft.

Overall sounds like this project is the best bet for saving a Devastator.

[Ara1]

The TBD is an old childhood friend (thank you Monogram models) and the folks at McDonnell Douglas should step up as Grumman has with their birds. 1. Lobby the gov't for permission to recover the plane, 2. fund and lead the project, 3. restore the plane and take care of your own.

[Cruver Collecter]

I hope some serious effort will some day be put forward to recovering a Devastor.