Merriam Press Aviation History Series First Edition 2017

In the past decade, the role of aircraft wreck hunting as a hobby has changed more toward protecting crash sites as memorials, honoring those whom were lost, bringing closure to families, and placing memorial plaques in honor of those who were lost in these tragic accidents. For those of us who are offspring from the World War II generation, we feel an ever stronger sense of respect in honoring those that gave their lives for such a great cause. There is a strong sense of responsibility for us in keeping their names alive, and maybe it might be that we are the last real link to them.

As youngsters we witnessed the war heroes that received a lot of attention especially those involved in the flying world, but it was sad to think of the aircrews that were lost states-wide whose names were never known. They never had a chance to fight a war, but they were just as much a hero as anyone else. Just think of where they might have gone in life.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Grand Coulee P-63A Kingcobra

Chapter 2: Feathered Engine: A B-24’s Failed Go Around

Chapter 3: Tommy’s Tigator

Chapter 4: United Flight 173: Portland Oregon

Chapter 5: Missing F4F Wildcats Found

Chapter 6: Mid-Air Over The Olympics

Chapter 7: General Aviation and Unidentified Sites

Chapter 8: Dutch Roll Sheds Engines From Boeing 707 Jetliner

Chapter 9: Firewood One

Chapter 10: B-47E Refueling Technique Turns Night Mission Into Disaster

Chapter 11: Article 123 The Cover Up

Chapter 12: Speed Brakes: A Fatal Consequence to a Sabre Jet Forced Landing

Chapter 13: High Altitude Stall Downs P-47D Thunderbolt

Chapter 14: Controlled Flight Into Terrain Chapter 15: Failure of Engine Turbine Wheel Severs Aft Fuselage from F-86D Sabre

Chapter 16: Mid-Air Break-Up: The Touchet B-24 Tragedy

Chapter 17: Broken Connecting Rod Ends Airacobra Night Flight

Chapter 18: The Salish Peak F-89s

Chapter 19: Ejection From F-86 Sabre Jet Conforms With Fire Warning Light

Chapter 20: Echelon Formation Creates Airacobra Collision

Chapter 21: Blackbird’s Night Training Mission Goes Awry

Chapter 22: Mystery Solved: Super Sabre Found Hundreds Of Miles Off Course

Chapter 23: Inclement Weather: A Trap for a Vultee BT-13

Chapter 24: Snow Storm Dooms B-25 On Mt. Timpanogos

Chapter 25: Phantom Jet Disappears On Routine Training Mission

Chapter 26: Regina Airlines DC-3: Attempt at VFR Flight Proves Fatal

Chapter 27: The Dakota Crewmen of Sulphur Mountain

Chapter 28: In Weather Over Mountains And Out Of Gas

Appendix I: Washington State Crash Locator List

Appendix II: Oregon Crash Locator List

Appendix III: Idaho Crash Locator List

Bibliography and Suggested Reading

36 B&W and 313 color photos