Sequel to Battle of Midway: wrecks of the japanese carriers "Akagi" and "Kaga" found

18,000' down, that is a lot of water. Half the depth of the Mariana Trench.

 

I feel the same way about the destruction of the hundreds of B-17's and B-24's that were immediately scrapped at war's end. In my mind they were war hero's that should have been preserved as war memorials to show what we had accomplished in such a short time and the sacrifices that so many willingly gave....including those valiant airplanes. I did a painting of "Ol' Miss Destry" for the 50th anniversary of the B-17. She had 138 missions without a failure and was immediately scrapped when she returned to the states. I met one of her surviving crew members and he was in tears when he spoke of her. They had hearts as we all did.

 

I agree, the scrapping of all of most types is a complete shame. On the other hand, the machines were almost obsolete before the war was even over, and certainly by 5-7 years after were effectively useless except for attacking South America. You were there, I'm sure you have a much better view than I do, but it seems to me that the time period between 47-57 was one of the fastest changing times in aviation warfare. The Hustler first flew in '56, right? And the MiG 17 in 1952? What good is a 300 MPH B-24 against a 690 MPH fighter?

 

When the two Avro Lancasters flew a few years ago in formation with the last Avro Vulcan, it was pointed out that the first flights of those very different bombers was only 11 years apart!

 

In 1942 I knew a few kids who were upper classmates of mine in high school when they left for pilot training in the Navy. Few survived the desperate period at that time and I don't think that many people now realize the sacrifices that were made by the Navy crews then when they were outnumbered but not outfought. To survive the early Pacific battles was a bonus.

 

From the LIFE archive.

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The only way to get a B-24 to 300 mph would be in a dive with the wings gone.

 

Yeah, Terry. I was thinking about that. The fastest that I ever saw in one was 170. I'm sure that it could reach 200 + but it would be pushed.

 

Wikipedia quotes Janes with a top speed of 297 for the J model, but I certainly defer to Bob.

 

I would imagine that top speed figure was achieved with a light airframe, no ammo, no combat load, and moderate fuel load. It was faster than the B-17 and could out climb it but quit at 27,000.

 

Bob- Affirmative, and likely using water injection.

 

Thanks for the clarification