FM-2 Wildcat recovery from Lake Michigan on Friday December 7, 2012

December 5, 2012 Capt. Ed Ellis, JAGC, USN (Ret.)
Vice President

Naval Aviation Museum Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Navy to recover a historic World War II aircraft from Lake Michigan

WAUKEGAN – A World War II Fighter that has been sitting at the bottom of Lake Michigan off the Chicago shoreline for more than 65 years will be brought to the surface this week.

The National Naval Aviation Museum with the Naval History and Heritage Command initiated the undertaking. The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is sponsoring the location, recovery, restoration, and eventual display of a World War II Eastern Aircraft FM-2 “Wildcat” Fighter from the depths of Lake Michigan. The Foundation will complete the recovery portion of the effort this week using a crew from A and T Recovery. This recovery has been made possible through a generous donation from Mr. Charles Greenhill, of Mettawa, Illinois.

“This effort will lead to another important World War II aircraft being presented to the American public that shows the significant history of the “Greatest Generation,” whose courage and dedication to our country preserved America’s and the world’s freedom,” stated Capt. Ed Ellis, JAGC, USN (Ret.), Vice President of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. “The Naval Aviation Museum will work for display of the “Wildcat” in the Chicago area in a venue, such as, the Glenview Hangar One Museum.”

On December 28, 1944 the weather forecast for Chicago read, “Fair and continued rather cold today.” At 1151 hours FM-2 “Wildcat” Bureau Number 57039 crashed into Lake Michigan in about 200 feet of water. Her pilot at the time was Ensign William E. Forbes. Ensign Forbes was in the process of making his third take-off of his aircraft carrier qualification off the USS Sable. Apparently the engine checked out “O.K.” However, on the take-off roll the engine began to “pop” and then “quit completely.” 57039 rolled off the bow of the ship and sank. The accident was determined to be 100% material (engine failure).

This airplane crashed in Lake Michigan during aircraft carrier qualification training, which was conducted on Lake Michigan during the early to mid-1940s. More than 17,000 pilots completed the training including LTJG George H. Bush, later to become U.S. President. The aircraft carriers used for training docked at Navy Pier in Chicago and the airplanes and pilots flew from Glenview Naval Air Station at Glenview, Illinois.
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A and T Recovery, in conjunction with the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, the National Naval Aviation Museum, and the Naval History and Heritage Command, has been responsible for the rescue of approximately forty World War II aircraft from the depths of Lake Michigan. These aircraft are now on display in museums and airports around the United States, including Hawaii. Two notable examples are currently on display in Chicago, a Grumman F4F-3 “Wildcat” Fighter on display at O’Hare International Airport and a Douglas SDB “Dauntless” Dive-bomber at Midway Airport.

Even as someone who really enjoys aviation archaeology, I refuse to look for unrecovered US Navy aircraft unless there is a missing crew member. The heavy handed way the Navy "reclaims" these birds doesn't make it worthwhile. I often wonder how many Avengers, Hellcats, Wildcats and other classic birds that could have made for a display at a museum are sitting in a warehouse down in Pensacola because the Navy refuses to cede ownership. They can promise that it will wind up displayed in the Chicago area, but I won't hold my breath on that one.

Here's a whole gob of photos from the recovery this morning: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/gallery?s...912250&photo=1

The paint is in remarkably good condition. It looks like you could just wipe the grime off the insignia on the wings and it would look like it had just been painted on there. Thanks for sharing Zack.