WIX Archives

Re: Greenland P38/ History Channel

Posted by Rob Mears on Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:05:08 AM

In reply top Greenland P38/ History Ch posted by Pat Carry on Mon Mar 03, 2003 10:31:06 PM

Most excellent 90 minute special :) Definitely worth the price to get it on DVD.

One of the more interesting highlights was when the recovery team set up the 20mm cannon and let loose a single round into a 55 gallon drum, blowing the entire back side of that (steel) drum completely off! That gave me a pretty good idea as to what a single explosive 20mm round was capable of doing to another aircraft's aluminum monocoque fuselage! I can't imagine any odds of survival for the unarmored Japanese aircraft that were subject to the full-auto fusillade from the P-38's 5-gun nose.

Also, the recovery team flew the Browning .50 caliber guns to Oshkosh for display with the aircraft components they had recovered up to that time. I suppose the BATF was either unaware, or granted them a "pass" of some sort. Unauthorized possession of a Title II firearm under any other circumstance (much less FIVE of them including a cannon) will land a man some serious jail time! No doubt they've all been rendered inert by now.

One thing those guys have done is to develop and prove methods for the next recovery attempt. I suppose with the site positively located, the Gopher concept proven and available, and Cardin as a veteran team leader, you might get a second plane home for half the money. Not sure if you'd get your investment back from the expedition/restoration, but you'd sure have a hell of an historic aircraft. That, plus the pride of having succeeded at completing such an adventure.

There's five more up there. Anyone want to have a go at it? ;)

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