thedrifter
08-20-03, 07:35 AM
China to raise sunken World War II-era 'Flying Tiger' fighter plane
ASSOCIATED PRESS
11:02 a.m., August 18, 2003
BEIJING – Engineers and divers will use high-tech ocean searching and mapping gear to lift an American fighter jet that crashed into a southwestern Chinese lake during World War II, organizers said Monday.
The P-40 fighter, from the legendary American "Flying Tigers" squadron, crashed into Lake Dian near the city of Kunming, one of China's wartime capitals, during a training mission in April 1942. The cause of the crash is unknown.
The pilot, John Blackburn of Amarillo, Texas, was killed in the crash. His body was recovered but the plane has remained in the lake for six decades.
Yan Jiangzheng, president of the China Expedition Association, said Monday the plane is buried in mud and silt under about 16 feet of water, and his group hopes to raise it by the end of the year.
"We need about 30 to 45 days to clean mud from around the plane," Yan said at a news conference. "Then we can begin to raise it from the water."
"The body of the plane should still be intact and can possibly be fully restored to flying condition," he added.
The plane will be sent to the United States for repair and will eventually return to China.
The Tigers were sent by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fight on behalf of China against Japan before the United States entered World War II. The group existed for only nine months, but is famous for its success in battle.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20030818-1102-china-flyingtigers.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
11:02 a.m., August 18, 2003
BEIJING – Engineers and divers will use high-tech ocean searching and mapping gear to lift an American fighter jet that crashed into a southwestern Chinese lake during World War II, organizers said Monday.
The P-40 fighter, from the legendary American "Flying Tigers" squadron, crashed into Lake Dian near the city of Kunming, one of China's wartime capitals, during a training mission in April 1942. The cause of the crash is unknown.
The pilot, John Blackburn of Amarillo, Texas, was killed in the crash. His body was recovered but the plane has remained in the lake for six decades.
Yan Jiangzheng, president of the China Expedition Association, said Monday the plane is buried in mud and silt under about 16 feet of water, and his group hopes to raise it by the end of the year.
"We need about 30 to 45 days to clean mud from around the plane," Yan said at a news conference. "Then we can begin to raise it from the water."
"The body of the plane should still be intact and can possibly be fully restored to flying condition," he added.
The plane will be sent to the United States for repair and will eventually return to China.
The Tigers were sent by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fight on behalf of China against Japan before the United States entered World War II. The group existed for only nine months, but is famous for its success in battle.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20030818-1102-china-flyingtigers.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: