WIX Archives
Also- Grumman Guardian Fish Condo
Posted by bdk on Sat Feb 16, 2002 02:18:50 PM
In reply top Re: Torrey Pines P-38 Fish Condo posted by Scott WRG Editor on Sat Feb 16, 2002 11:20:46 AM
On March 30, 1954, Lt. John W. Miller was piloting this particular plane with his two crew, Bill Burris and Walter G. Brown. Their mission was to located a missing jet aircraft. When engine trouble, the plane was successfully ditched in the water near the shore and three men reached safety on the sandy beach 150 yards away on the south side of Santa Cruz Island, east of Gull Island. Once on shore a parachute was spread out on the sand and distress flares fired. A rescue helicopter picked them up that afternoon.
Diving the Grumman Guardian
Today, the Guardian sits upright on the bottom in 60 feet of water. The landing gear is retracted, the plane is intact except for the propeller, which lies 75 feet away in the sand, its blades bent backwards. The radome is buried in the sand and in unknown condition. The plane faces an easterly direction and is in very good condition with many features easily recognizable. The rudder and ailerons have broken away and there are metal electronics boxes visible in the aft cockpit. The starboard wing is off the bottom approximately 4 feet at the tip and the port wing lies in the sand. There are areas where the aluminum skin is devoid of marine growth and shiny, while in other areas it has corroded away, fortunately about 85% remains. The landing gear is visible from the top of the port wing, while the starboard landing gear is under the wing. Engine details are sharp despite the marine growth that covers the plane. The plane attracts a wide variety of fish and in its time on the bottom has become a living reef.
