WIX Archives
Re: Corsair on Catalina Island?
Posted by Joe Scheil on Sun Mar 03, 2002 11:03:46 AM
In reply top Corsair on Catalina Island? posted by Rob Mears on Sun Mar 03, 2002 02:31:42 AM
Rob,
Yes there was a -4 Corsair on Catalina, one of at least 3 that has crashed on the island. This one was the most intact of the lot yet was very badly damaged. There was also a bellied in P-38 and some other types...What happened was in the early 1970's, the military/state decided to clean up the islands and forests of California. The wrecks were picked up by helicopter and dropped offshore....The mountain wrecks in the sierras were scrapped...The book that you are thinking of is Aircraft Wrecks in the Mountains and Deserts of California, by Pat Macha. His website has a great picture of one of the San Clemente Hellcats too.
Joe