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Re: TBM in Canadian Lake - one in L. Erie (RCN/VR)

Posted by Lee on Wed Oct 22, 2003 10:28:36 AM

In reply top TBM in Canadian Lake posted by Rob Rohr on Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:50:42 AM

Rob:

Just know about the TBM lying in 60ft of water near Port Stanley, Ontario on Lake Erie. Same story where the pilot reported to his wingman that the engine was going to die. They let down on a pan of ice, got out into the dingy, and simply watched the turkey sink. They were rescued at the last minute before sunset in Jan of '58.

The Toronto Aerospace Museum has been looking for her and have had little luck so far. One of the Cdn Naval Air Group members was flying over the area of the lake one afternoon and spotted the aircraft. Didnt have a GPS on board and for the sake of him can't recall exactly where it was. Rats!

I can say Rob that the RCN records are fairly poor and little still exist today. Spent a few days in the National Archives looking for any reports of the loss of the aircraft and found a BIG goose-egg. Surprised that nothing was recorded and only a few newspapers report the accident and the personal accounts of the pilots.

Lee
Toronto

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