THE STRAFING PRACTICE ACCIDENTS

WWII-era pilots flying P-40, P-47, and P-51 fighters practiced low-level strafing techniques against offshore targets on anchored barges. Pilot inexperience and misjudgments (e.g., drop-rates, recovery lags, target fixation) led to multiple aircraft either pancaking-in (‘ditching’) or crashing, and sinking to depths of 50’ to 200’.

Mr Egan and a team performed a limited shallow water survey, but a more comprehensive one is required. Recovery operations will employ ROVs, commercial divers, and possibly teams of qualified sport divers.

Decent subject for a documentary film.