masterdiversint
Recruit
Hi All,
New to the forum here and I am researching an aircraft that is submerged in approximately 4.5 meters of water in the Eastern Harbour of Alexandria, Egypt. Past rumor has stated that this is an Italian Fighter Bomber. However, in the four years of conducting research on surveys conducted in the harbor pertaining to the ruins of Cleopatra's Palace, it has never been stated that the plane even exists! Dove on the wreck site yesterday for the first time in about 4 years and actually recorded the details of the site in water with visibility of around half a meter. Am looking for assistance from the forum on what type of aircraft it could actually/possibly be. Here are the details that I have at present: Single seat in the cockpit, sliding glass frame cowling over the cockpit area, 1 axial engine on each wing (type unknown), forward wingspan is approximately 32-37 feet (just a guess because of poor visibility), forward and aft aeilerons (sic) on the forward wings. Aft left tail wing has a single bullet hole. And here is the odd part....the aircraft does not appear to have a vertical rudder in the tail section! There is no indication that it was removed by force during crashing, or that there was ever a vertical rudder installed. The aft section of the aircraft is in good condition and shows no battle damage other than the bullet hole already mentioned.
The onboard archaeologist from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (required to be present with tour operators....see my profile for additional info) told me that he suspects it to be a British aircraft. However, neither one of us are aviation enthusiasts so have never really looked hard at this.
I would like to be able to identify this aircraft by model in order to provide my fellow divers with correct information about the wreck site.
Any assistance that you here on the forum may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Or at least point me in the right direction. If the weather holds here, and the water clears up a bit, I may be able to provide some photos in the next 2 or 3 weeks as well.
Mike
New to the forum here and I am researching an aircraft that is submerged in approximately 4.5 meters of water in the Eastern Harbour of Alexandria, Egypt. Past rumor has stated that this is an Italian Fighter Bomber. However, in the four years of conducting research on surveys conducted in the harbor pertaining to the ruins of Cleopatra's Palace, it has never been stated that the plane even exists! Dove on the wreck site yesterday for the first time in about 4 years and actually recorded the details of the site in water with visibility of around half a meter. Am looking for assistance from the forum on what type of aircraft it could actually/possibly be. Here are the details that I have at present: Single seat in the cockpit, sliding glass frame cowling over the cockpit area, 1 axial engine on each wing (type unknown), forward wingspan is approximately 32-37 feet (just a guess because of poor visibility), forward and aft aeilerons (sic) on the forward wings. Aft left tail wing has a single bullet hole. And here is the odd part....the aircraft does not appear to have a vertical rudder in the tail section! There is no indication that it was removed by force during crashing, or that there was ever a vertical rudder installed. The aft section of the aircraft is in good condition and shows no battle damage other than the bullet hole already mentioned.
The onboard archaeologist from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (required to be present with tour operators....see my profile for additional info) told me that he suspects it to be a British aircraft. However, neither one of us are aviation enthusiasts so have never really looked hard at this.
I would like to be able to identify this aircraft by model in order to provide my fellow divers with correct information about the wreck site.
Any assistance that you here on the forum may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Or at least point me in the right direction. If the weather holds here, and the water clears up a bit, I may be able to provide some photos in the next 2 or 3 weeks as well.
Mike
