Free Republic

PORTLAND, Ore. – Officials investigating the wreckage of a World War II-era dive bomber found in the Oregon woods say at least three U.S. Navy planes of that type went down in that area from 1945 to 1948. Tillamook County Sheriff Todd Anderson said Friday investigators still don't know the origin of the wrecked Helldiver found near the now-defunct Naval Air Station Tillamook. However, Anderson said investigators have learned at least three planes of that type went down during the final years the air station was still in operation. He said two went down in 1945 and another in 1948....

WHEELER, Ore. - In a heavily wooded area somewhere near this small coastal town, a piece of World War II history was found scattered in dozens of pieces - hidden for more than 60 years - and unknown until last week. According to local officials and the U.S. Navy, the find is a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, the Navy’s primary attack and bombing plane during World War II. Even more intriguing, is that it may also contain remains of the two crew members.

SAN DIEGO – Salvage divers gently cleared away silt and mud covering a WWII dive bomber buried in the bottom of the San Diego reservoir, carefully working Thursday to lift the rare plane from the water 65 years after it was ditched during a training run. Bob Metz, 84, who watched the painstaking work, said he recalls his oldest brother, Sgt. Joseph Metz, telling about how he and the pilot — who have both since died — managed to swim ashore to safety, then hitchhiked back to the nearby military base. "It's going to be interesting to see it,"...