Death Valley B-24s 11/23/07

The following was copied from Anthony Mireles book "Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945" 8/1/44 Death Valley, California At 0815 PWT, a Consolidate ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:20:41 -0700

Joe Idoni
The following was copied from Anthony Mireles book "Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945" 8/1/44 Death Valley, California At 0815 PWT, a Consolidate ...

Entering Death Valley. These photos were taken on two trips. The first on 1/3/07 was to the crash site of the B-24D #42-72862 out on the salt marsh 250 feet below sea level. Second time ou ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:16 -0800

Joe Idoni
Entering Death Valley. These photos were taken on two trips. The first on 1/3/07 was to the crash site of the B-24D #42-72862 out on the salt marsh 250 feet below sea level. Second time ou ...

1/3/07 After searching for awhile, I spotted something out in the salt marsh.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:17 -0800

Joe Idoni
1/3/07 After searching for awhile, I spotted something out in the salt marsh.

Turned out to be a prop from one of the B-24s.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:19 -0800

Joe Idoni
Turned out to be a prop from one of the B-24s.

Close up of the prop hub from the rear. There was a lot corrosion from the salt after 63 years.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:20 -0800

Joe Idoni
Close up of the prop hub from the rear. There was a lot corrosion from the salt after 63 years.

Tip of prop.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:21 -0800

Joe Idoni
Tip of prop.

Found this piece while hiking out to something I spotted off in the distance.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:22 -0800

Joe Idoni
Found this piece while hiking out to something I spotted off in the distance.

Looks like some kind of mount. Maybe the mount for one of the waist guns???

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:28:06 -0800

Joe Idoni
Looks like some kind of mount. Maybe the mount for one of the waist guns???

After hiking across the salt flat for awhile, I could see what I spotted was another prop.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:23 -0800

Joe Idoni
After hiking across the salt flat for awhile, I could see what I spotted was another prop.

This one was in a better condition.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:24 -0800

Joe Idoni
This one was in a better condition.

View of the hub. One of the blades was broken off.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:25 -0800

Joe Idoni
View of the hub. One of the blades was broken off.

Some of the yellow paint on the tip still remains after 63 years.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:29 -0800

Joe Idoni
Some of the yellow paint on the tip still remains after 63 years.

After searching for about an hour found this area that I believe is the main crash site of the B-24D #42-72862. The USAAF accident report stated that the remains of the bomber were dynamited ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 10:44:36 -0800

Joe Idoni
After searching for about an hour found this area that I believe is the main crash site of the B-24D #42-72862. The USAAF accident report stated that the remains of the bomber were dynamited ...

This was the largest piece of wreckage at the site.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:29 -0800

Joe Idoni
This was the largest piece of wreckage at the site.

These two pieces were inside. The part on the right is piece of one of the heads with a rocker arm and exaust valve from one of the four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 engines that powered the B- ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:31 -0800

Joe Idoni
These two pieces were inside. The part on the right is piece of one of the heads with a rocker arm and exaust valve from one of the four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 engines that powered the B- ...

The piece of head turned over to show the exaust valve. Salt is hard on aluminum.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:33 -0800

Joe Idoni
The piece of head turned over to show the exaust valve. Salt is hard on aluminum.

More corroded aluminum. The salt flat is slowly eating away what little remains here.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:34 -0800

Joe Idoni
More corroded aluminum. The salt flat is slowly eating away what little remains here.

Came upon what looks like a part of a parachute. It's hard to see in the photo, but buried on the left side is some bunched up fabric that looks like part of the canopy.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:35 -0800

Joe Idoni
Came upon what looks like a part of a parachute. It's hard to see in the photo, but buried on the left side is some bunched up fabric that looks like part of the canopy.

Some electrical stuff including a transformer.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:38 -0800

Joe Idoni
Some electrical stuff including a transformer.

Looks like one of the superchargers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:39 -0800

Joe Idoni
Looks like one of the superchargers.

The impeller.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:40 -0800

Joe Idoni
The impeller.

The half buried green piece caught my eye.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:42 -0800

Joe Idoni
The half buried green piece caught my eye.

It's a 50 cal casing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:43 -0800

Joe Idoni
It's a 50 cal casing.

This pressure bottle was in a small runoff channel below the site.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:36 -0800

Joe Idoni
This pressure bottle was in a small runoff channel below the site.

Further out I found this oxygen tank, must have been washed out by the rains.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:11:20 -0800

Joe Idoni
Further out I found this oxygen tank, must have been washed out by the rains.

Another view of the tank.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:11:19 -0800

Joe Idoni
Another view of the tank.

It was marked "BREATING OXYGEN".

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:11:22 -0800

Joe Idoni
It was marked "BREATING OXYGEN".

11/23/07 Almost a year later I'm back in Death Valley to search for the second bomber, the B-24J #42-78522. The accident report states it broke in two main pieces.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:44 -0800

Joe Idoni
11/23/07 Almost a year later I'm back in Death Valley to search for the second bomber, the B-24J #42-78522. The accident report states it broke in two main pieces.

As I started off, I looked back to the truck and saw a big raven flying straight at me.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:45:44 -0700

Joe Idoni
As I started off, I looked back to the truck and saw a big raven flying straight at me.

He landed close by then flew around keeping an eye on me for a few minutes before flying off.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:47 -0800

Joe Idoni
He landed close by then flew around keeping an eye on me for a few minutes before flying off.

After searching for awhile spotted the first piece of wreckage from the B-24J.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:50:55 -0800

Joe Idoni
After searching for awhile spotted the first piece of wreckage from the B-24J.

Me with what turned out to be one of the engine mounts. Got really lucky finding this on my first try at locating the second bomber. Thought I was going to spend all day looking at rocks.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:45:44 -0700

Joe Idoni
Me with what turned out to be one of the engine mounts. Got really lucky finding this on my first try at locating the second bomber. Thought I was going to spend all day looking at rocks.

View of the rear of the engine mount.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:02:47 -0800

Joe Idoni
View of the rear of the engine mount.

Next to the mount were parts of the exhaust manifold.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:55 -0800

Joe Idoni
Next to the mount were parts of the exhaust manifold.

There was also three valve lifters and two rocker arms.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:06:59 -0800

Joe Idoni
There was also three valve lifters and two rocker arms.

Closer look at one of the rockers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:01 -0800

Joe Idoni
Closer look at one of the rockers.

A valve lifter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:03 -0800

Joe Idoni
A valve lifter.

A set of points and condenser.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:05 -0800

Joe Idoni
A set of points and condenser.

Hiking along came upon this pulley, linkage and control cables.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:06 -0800

Joe Idoni
Hiking along came upon this pulley, linkage and control cables.

The part number on pulley with the 32 prefix indicating a Consolidated B-24 D thru J.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:07 -0800

Joe Idoni
The part number on pulley with the 32 prefix indicating a Consolidated B-24 D thru J.

A short distance from the engine mount was a part from one of the turbochargers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:08:20 -0800

Joe Idoni
A short distance from the engine mount was a part from one of the turbochargers.

Close by was the main crash site of #42-78522. Per the report, this was the "Fuselage aft of approximately station 4.0, the wing center setion, engines and the right outer wing panel."

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:45:45 -0700

Joe Idoni
Close by was the main crash site of #42-78522. Per the report, this was the "Fuselage aft of approximately station 4.0, the wing center setion, engines and the right outer wing panel."

View of the site from another direction.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:45:46 -0700

Joe Idoni
View of the site from another direction.

This section of the bomber burned after impacting. The gray area is a big piece of melted aluminum.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:10 -0800

Joe Idoni
This section of the bomber burned after impacting. The gray area is a big piece of melted aluminum.

Most of what remains at this site looks like it been through a fire.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:12 -0800

Joe Idoni
Most of what remains at this site looks like it been through a fire.

Remains of one of the main tires. The other one was nearby in the same condition.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:14 -0800

Joe Idoni
Remains of one of the main tires. The other one was nearby in the same condition.

Pressure bottle.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:15 -0800

Joe Idoni
Pressure bottle.

Melted aluminum and a couple of engine parts.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:11 -0800

Joe Idoni
Melted aluminum and a couple of engine parts.

Can

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:16 -0800

Joe Idoni
Can

After checking out the site, started looking for the second site that the report said was close by the main site. I was finding single pieces of wreckage scattered over a large area.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:18 -0800

Joe Idoni
After checking out the site, started looking for the second site that the report said was close by the main site. I was finding single pieces of wreckage scattered over a large area.

This piece of laminated glass was about a hundred yards from the main site.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:17 -0800

Joe Idoni
This piece of laminated glass was about a hundred yards from the main site.

Started finding 50cal casings in the area.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:19 -0800

Joe Idoni
Started finding 50cal casings in the area.

Was also finding bullets.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:20 -0800

Joe Idoni
Was also finding bullets.

A small group of 50s. Half of them have the bullets missing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:20 -0800

Joe Idoni
A small group of 50s. Half of them have the bullets missing.

Close look at one of the 50's

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:12:22 -0800

Joe Idoni
Close look at one of the 50's

After searching for about half an hour I found the second site. The report said that this site was the "Nose of the fuselage forward of approximately station 4.0." It's hard to see, but t ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:45:47 -0700

Joe Idoni
After searching for about half an hour I found the second site. The report said that this site was the "Nose of the fuselage forward of approximately station 4.0." It's hard to see, but t ...

Seat

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:24 -0800

Joe Idoni
Seat

Close by was another seat.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:25 -0800

Joe Idoni
Close by was another seat.

Same seat turned over. In front of it is a piece of a ammo chute.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:27 -0800

Joe Idoni
Same seat turned over. In front of it is a piece of a ammo chute.

Close up of the seat.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:28 -0800

Joe Idoni
Close up of the seat.

The armor plate. It's about four feet across.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:29 -0800

Joe Idoni
The armor plate. It's about four feet across.

Another piece of armor.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:31 -0800

Joe Idoni
Another piece of armor.

Exploded 50 cal bullet casing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:32 -0800

Joe Idoni
Exploded 50 cal bullet casing.

Tire from the nose gear. Never found any of the landing gears.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:45:42 -0700

Joe Idoni
Tire from the nose gear. Never found any of the landing gears.

Tread.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:04:37 -0800

Joe Idoni
Tread.

Lettering on the tire.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:59:44 -0800

Joe Idoni
Lettering on the tire.

Knob

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:36 -0800

Joe Idoni
Knob

A cushion, maybe from one of the seats.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:36 -0800

Joe Idoni
A cushion, maybe from one of the seats.

Piece from the nose turret. Small photo shows where the piece is from.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:04:38 -0800

Joe Idoni
Piece from the nose turret. Small photo shows where the piece is from.

Another sention of ammo chute. There was a few pieces of this stuff in the area.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:34 -0800

Joe Idoni
Another sention of ammo chute. There was a few pieces of this stuff in the area.

Heel from a shoe.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:49 -0800

Joe Idoni
Heel from a shoe.

Temperature control marked "Heated Suit". Think the sprocket is from the nose turret.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:37 -0800

Joe Idoni
Temperature control marked "Heated Suit". Think the sprocket is from the nose turret.

Another temperature control. This one is marked "Heated Clothing".

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:38 -0800

Joe Idoni
Another temperature control. This one is marked "Heated Clothing".

Wasn't sure what these were mounted on a plate.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:39 -0800

Joe Idoni
Wasn't sure what these were mounted on a plate.

Turning it over saw that it was a group of toggle switches. The hinged plates on the outer four switches allows them to be all switched at once.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:04:56 -0800

Joe Idoni
Turning it over saw that it was a group of toggle switches. The hinged plates on the outer four switches allows them to be all switched at once.

Piece of a broken file. Must have been some tools onboard.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:41 -0800

Joe Idoni
Piece of a broken file. Must have been some tools onboard.

Unused smoke grenade that has fallen apart with age.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:15:19 -0800

Joe Idoni
Unused smoke grenade that has fallen apart with age.

Cover

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:42 -0800

Joe Idoni
Cover

Electrical switches, they are marked "On, Off, L, R, Both.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:43 -0800

Joe Idoni
Electrical switches, they are marked "On, Off, L, R, Both.

Closer look at one of the switches.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:44 -0800

Joe Idoni
Closer look at one of the switches.

Looks like a part from an optial device.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:45 -0800

Joe Idoni
Looks like a part from an optial device.

Other side of the same piece.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:46 -0800

Joe Idoni
Other side of the same piece.

Found the frame to one of the cockpit wing windows while hiking back to the truck.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:47 -0800

Joe Idoni
Found the frame to one of the cockpit wing windows while hiking back to the truck.

Latches on window frame. Small photo shows yellow latches on window.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:22:44 -0800

Joe Idoni
Latches on window frame. Small photo shows yellow latches on window.

This part was well away from either of the crash sites.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:50 -0800

Joe Idoni
This part was well away from either of the crash sites.

It's an oxyen flow indicator.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:50 -0800

Joe Idoni
It's an oxyen flow indicator.

One on the ammo cans.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:11:17 -0800

Joe Idoni
One on the ammo cans.

Another view of the ammo can.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:11:18 -0800

Joe Idoni
Another view of the ammo can.

Another small pile of 50s.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:51 -0800

Joe Idoni
Another small pile of 50s.

Closer look.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:52 -0800

Joe Idoni
Closer look.

Driving back out to the highway. I been to a lot of different crash sites, but these two sites are the ones that I know the most about. The USAAF accident report had a lot of witness stateme ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:07:53 -0800

Joe Idoni
Driving back out to the highway. I been to a lot of different crash sites, but these two sites are the ones that I know the most about. The USAAF accident report had a lot of witness stateme ...