Research Saves Many Steps

Unlike recent accidents where eminent loss of life is possible, older wreck sites are often numerously documented and can be extensively researched prior to actually commencing the search. Taking a little extra time in analyzing possible locations will result in considerable time saved spent walking through the woods.

Sometimes it is as easy as placing random advertisements in a local newspaper. MISSING AIRPLANE - School searching for information regarding military airplane that crashed in this area during the war years. Call....... Often the obituary page seems to work quite well, since older people seem to spend more time studying that section. Many eyewitnesses are getting quite old or passing away. It is amazing the number of telephone calls generated by something so simple. The old farmer who calls and tells about his brother and him going to school, when they saw a young marine pilot walking out of the woods. Then it's only a matter of researching the local newspapers during that time period for information about that particular crash. With an exact date and approximate location, the airplane accident report can be found in the military archives. This will give more precise information as to the actual crash site, condition of the airplane, and if it was abandoned or recovered. The Navy keeps an individual card on each airplane and all accident reports at the Naval Historical Center at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D. C.

Such advertisements usually work best where there was a lot of aviation activity such as near Tidewater Tech's own local area. Norfolk, Virginia is home to the US Navy and there were thousands of flights originating from almost a dozen local training bases. Often these planes went to nearby bombing and practice areas during the war years. Engines were still unreliable and susceptible to frequent failure. It was not uncommon to have a single engine fighter experience mechanical problems over the swamp or get lost and run out of fuel trying to return home.

The greatest majority of all wreck sites are to be found in remote areas far from major populations. Those within city limits or the suburbs of major communities have already been carted away or recovered by eager collectors. However, Tidewater Tech recently found a Navy Wildcat fighter that crashed during the war. It is relatively intact, though badly damaged, and has been undisturbed in the woods for over fifty years. It is only a few hundred yards away from a busy highway within the city limits of a neighboring community.