I read a book awhile ago with LOTS of references, etc. Trying to figure out WHY Amelia went down. It was very interesting. Started out with her early history and huge flights (first woman across America, Atlantic, etc.).
One of the possibilities was that a poorly labeled radio antenna switch (from talk to morse-code) was a factor. At the quarter-hour she would try to reach the island on voice, and on the hour and half-hour by voice. But - she might have had it backwards. I think it was also the “beacon detector” - it could swivel so she could turn it to get the best signal from the island and follow that strong signal in.
Also, the monitoring systems on the island didn’t have enough power - so they used a ship in the bay. However, the ship was still on Hawaii time, 2.25 hours off or something. I’m not clear on all of those details, but it was something like that.
The investigation of her missing came up with numerous new rules, etc. One of them was Greenwish Mean Time so everyone would be running on the same time.
I saw an excellent documentary or docudrama that offered the same possibilites. Perhaps it was based on the book you’re referencing, because it was very good.
Which reminds me: My Dad was a young PBY pilot at the time, and frequently mentions that Noonan had a big drinking problem—NOT somebody you'd want as a navigator in the SW Pacific!
I like it.
I wish I had more time.
And then there are the rumors that the Japanese killed her for straying over one of their secret sites pre-WWII.
And then there is the movie that makes her a heroine for accepting an assignment to deliberately go missing pre-WWII, so our air force would have an excuse to do a massive search for her over secret Japanese sites.
I’m still rooting for the turtle.
Murphy’s Law in spades.