Vertigo
Airman
First post with images so I hope I did it right. The airplane was identified as a Hellcat by a local historian, but being a WWII aircraft buff I knew other wise and found the data plate to prove it to the newspaper. It was my one and only moment of fame. The parts were being yanked out of the sand with a back hoe. Believe me I tried real hard to get the 50cal. out of the wing but it was full of sand and I could not turn it over by myself. It was apparently scuttled over 40 years ago by blowing it up. I believe it was because the tide was coming in, because the wing spar bolts were removed, and the spar fittings were in great shape. They cut a whole on top of one wing and pulled the wheel and brake assembly, the axle was visible and the axle nut was gone. The other wheel assembly was burnt during the scuttle as seen in picture, probably ran out of time possibly due to high tide.
The report is that the pilot was on a training mission out of Wilmington with his wingman and ran out of fuel then ditched on the beach. His wingman came back around to check on him and then headed for Wilmington, but he ran out of fuel and landed on Holden Beach. I understand his aircraft was successfully salvaged since he landed more inland. I will find the newspaper article and scan it for posting.
The report is that the pilot was on a training mission out of Wilmington with his wingman and ran out of fuel then ditched on the beach. His wingman came back around to check on him and then headed for Wilmington, but he ran out of fuel and landed on Holden Beach. I understand his aircraft was successfully salvaged since he landed more inland. I will find the newspaper article and scan it for posting.