BuNo:
141310
...(8/56-2/58:
disappeared
c/n: 4434
type: 1049A-55-86, modified to 1049A-55-137 during production/WV-2
VW-15's BuNo 141311, TL-1, over USS Sellstrom (DER-255) in March 1957 off
the coast of Newfoundland. This is the only known picture of this ill-fated
aircraft which disappeared on 20-Feb-58 near Corvo Island, Azores. No trace
or clue was ever found of the aircraft or crew.
Source:
Official USN photo, via PHC Mahon Miller.
22-Aug-1956 U.S.
Navy acceptance date. 05-Sep-1956 Delivered to
USN as BuNo 141310. 05-Sep-1956 To VW-15 at
Patuxent River, MD; tail code TL-1. ??-Mar-1957 Aircraft photographed
(above) flying over USS Sellstrom (DER-255). 24-Jan-1958 VW-15 transferred
to NS Argentia, Newfoundland, from Pax Rvr. 19-Feb-1958 0853 hrs (EST),
aircraft departed Arg on normal Barrier flight
from Argentia to Azores and back, with a scheduled return time of 1100 hrs (EST) on 20-Feb-58. 20-Feb-1958 0259
hrs (EST), last radio contact with aircraft heard; aircraft DISAPPEARED without trace or clue; presumedly crashed approximately 110 miles northwest of Corvo Island, Azores, between North Atlantic
Barrier checkpoints "Mahogany" and "Pendulum." 28-Feb-1958 Following a
week of extensive air/sea searching, aircraft is struck
off USN inventory by AEWRON Fifteen (VW-15) and her 22-man crew are
declared "presumed dead" (TT: 1,693 hrs/est.)
This website developed and operated by
ETC USN Retired Michael Lambert of Smyrna,
Georgia.
It is hosted on server space donated in perpetuity by
ANGELFIRE.COM as a gesture
of respect to the gallant men of the DE/DER's and their sacrifice for our nation during WW II and Cold
War.
Copyright: None. The included history belongs to the ages.
VW-15's BuNo 141311, TL-1, over USS Sellstrom (DER-255) in March 1957 off
the coast of Newfoundland. This is the only known picture of this ill-fated
aircraft which disappeared on 20-Feb-58 near Corvo Island, Azores. No trace
or clue was ever found of the aircraft or crew.
