⌛ Japanese Zero off Dgte airport?

Correct RHB, the colder the water the longer it takes to 'eat' the remains of an airplane. So it depends on what depth the airplane lies. In tropical water the temperature does in general not decrease a lot at more depth, especially not when there is a constant and strong current causing even at deep places a water temperature only just a few degrees below the surface water temp.
But I have seen remains from the WW2 at a depth of even only 44 meter (motor and some other metal parts). It's worthwhile IMHO to explore when more info is acknowledged of the place and depth. I'm in !

 

I stand somewhat corrected, Here are a few shots taken at a depth of 55 feet, Marshall islands, 2006. Zero shot down 1944. Remarkably more visible than I would have guessed. (better than the Truk pics I saw) The fabric covered control surfaces are mostly gone, but the aluminum skin is remarkably intact, and coral free. second photo is of a land crash zero, pretty much what I expected, wing spar box, and large metal parts, granted looting could account for missing pcs.

 

One note, people tend to classify any Japanese fighter as a zero, there were several that looked almost identical, and were produced in greater numbers. Japan WW2 is not my field of expertise, so I am no authority on this, but the KI-43 Hayabusa (not the super bike) "Oscar" looks almost identical at a caual glance. It was the most produced Jap fighter of ww2 and saw service as late as vietnam(french).

The Nakajima Hayate "Frank" also bears zero resemblance, and there was a squadron of these sent to the Philippines late in the war.



Happy hunting guys! I'll stick to mountain climbing:D

 

Soon as I hear of a person that finds a Zero by doing spot dives to 40+ meters, I'm going to find that person and give him a shovel.

Cause if he can do that than he can dig a hole and find Yamashita's gold.

 

Awesome pics, RHB!! Did you take them?
:D

 

No, They were taken by Dan Farnham. here is a link. Interesting research behind the pics.
Dan Farnham

 

I went up to Shrine two years ago, the caretaker said thieves took off the bronze plaque off the shrine. SO you only have the monument and no idea what went on as explained in that plaque. Talking of thieves, lol

 

Folks up around that area still don't have much love for Japanese. Has something to do with invading and looting their island.The plaque was probable melted down for pasalubong ashtrays and sold to tourists.

Hahahahahahaha!

 

I have no regrets too. They came and plundered, murdered at will and carried unspeakable crimes to our Filipino Peope , and even today they do not recognize the sins of their ancestors. I d say , another nukes for these folks.

The Rape of Nanking War China Japan

Year 1937 . mass murders carried out by Japanese Imperial Army long before we heard about the likes of Auschwitz, Buchenwald and Dachau. Its been many years but I will always remember what my dad said.

 

Intérêt-général.info - http://www.interet-general.info


Atrocities during Japanese stay in Philippines. Less we forget.