Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory Archive

IN THE SCHOOL OF OCEAN AND EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA

HURL Artifact No.	AIR-24	*Denotes approximations and speculations


Name:	Helldiver	Lost:	Unknown
Artifact Type:	Combat Aircraft (cockpit & wings)	Found:	25-Sep-07
Nationality:	USA	Dive No:	PV-680
Class or Make:	Curtiss	Location:	South Oahu
Model:	*SB2C-5	Depth (m):	505m
Purpose:	Dive Bomber	HURL crew:	Kerby, Price, Kelley
Serial Number:	*83222	Additional Dives:
Built/Launched:	*1945 (970)

Length:	*20' (36' 9")
Width:	49' 4"
Height:	*7' (14' 9")



Circumstance of Loss:	Collision with another aircraft	Crew Personnel/Position:	(2) Pilot and Radio Operator/Gunner

Reason of Loss:	*Training	Crew Survivals/Fatalities:	Unknown

Artifact History:	Records show that the nearby Helldiver tail section (AIR-23) was lost as a result of a collision with a friendly aircraft.

Artifact Condition:	Middle of cockpit canopy is missing as is engine. After portion of canopy clearly shows 4 window sections. Numbers and letters are visible on the side, but partially buried, so unable to positively identify them. Tail section is also missing, however tail wreckage (AIR-23) nearby appears to be a match. The front end of the cockpit where the engine would mount has the numbers "4320" stenciled.

Additional Information:	Cockpit appears to have the letter "K" followed by an unidentified letter and then possibly the number "84". The nearby tail section clearly shows its bureau number and boldly the numbers "53" and a faded smaller possible "84".