B-25 bomber - Lake Murray SC

[GrierHPharmD]

Does anybody know anything about the WWII planes in Lake Murray and whether they are diveable or not?

I've heard stories about them, and seem to remember hearing something about their being very deep. I could swear that there used to be a site with photos. I also thought that there was more than one plane there.
Here's everything I could find on a yahoo search:

http://www.celebratefreedomfoundation.org/lakeb25c.htm

 

[aue-mike]

Does anybody know anything about the WWII planes in Lake Murray and whether they are diveable or not?

There is an article with pics on the AUE website:
http://uwex.us

 

[crawford]

Does anybody know anything about the WWII planes in Lake Murray and whether they are diveable or not?

I've heard stories about them, and seem to remember hearing something about their being very deep. I could swear that there used to be a site with photos. I also thought that there was more than one plane there.
Here's everything I could find on a yahoo search:

http://www.celebratefreedomfoundation.org/lakeb25c.htm

I called the local dive shop once and talked to the guy there that knows where they are. They don't disclose the location because there's an agreement with the owner of the plane (one of them at least) to not disclose location. He explained that the planes are covered with fabric, which makes the planes susceptable to being damaged. He's right, if they gave out the numbers, "Billy Ray Lubs Bonnie Sue" will be scratched onto the plane with a knife within a week.

If you're ever in a Barnes and Noble in Columbia there is a book about Lake Murray that gives some history on how the planes were found.

 

[GrierHPharmD]

Thanks for all of the useful information. I'll look for that book next time I'm in town.

Safe ascents,
Grier

 

[Spectre]

[apologies for bumping an old thread.. but]

For those who have not been paying attention, the B-25C is being salvaged this week from 150'; Chickdiver is involved in the project.

They finally got everything rigged up yesterday, and overnight the bomber released from the suction of the bottom. They've been winching it up today and it should be on it's way to shore this afternoon.

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3857705&nav=0RaPeau0
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3846074&nav=0RaPeU8b

The history channel has also been on site.

 

[The Kraken]

Well, if they're b-25's, they're certainly not canvas covered!!!

the K

 

[mike_s]

Thanks for the links to the news stories about it's recovery.


What are they going to do with it after it's recovered?
(sink it in a shallower spot? try to restore it to flying condition?
make it a restored museum piece?)

 

[mike_s]

Answering my own question here..... but I found this.
It's going to the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham.

http://www.wltx.com/news/news19.aspx?storyid=30549

Crews Ready to Pull WWII Bomber Out of Lake MurrayLake Murray) - "I'm excited, it's close to Christmas Eve, it's in that same ballpark," says Bob Seigler as he drives his boat out onto Lake Murray.

For Bob, 15 years of bottomless hope, is about to pay off with what many would consider hidden treasure.

"This is a B-25c and there are only three B-25c's in the world," says Bob excitedly.

Even better, technically, Bob is its owner.

You see, it all began back in 19-43, when the plane's engine failed during a bombing exercise and the crew ditched it in the lake.

"We actually were able to, once we identified the plane, to get SCE&G, who owns the lake, to give Bob the title to the airplane with the stipulation it go to a museum," explains John Hodge, a member of the expedition crew.

After years of fundraising, Bob, who is a pediatrician from Greenville, hired divers, built a barge over the sunken plane and on Saturday started a week-long process to bring one of just 130 B-25 bombers in the world, back to the surface.

"This is the third oldest of the 130, so it makes it a very rare model, not only that, this airplane is a time capsule because it hasn't been touched in 60 years," Bob explains.

Until now. The plane is 150 feet down, but within the next 24 hours, this history buff should be making history himself.

"I'm pretty excited to see it come to a successful conclusion," says Bob.

After the plane is brought to the surface, it will be moved to the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Alabama where it will be displayed.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Cool beans its close enough to visit afterwards

 

[scubanick]

yah
its cool that it is being removed
its suppose to be out of the water today or tomorrow at the latest
a friend of mine at the local dive shop Andy Ogburn has dove this plane
i hope to ride up there today or tomorrow and see it as its being taken out the water