Another plane wreck found in the Baltic Sea

According to researchers from the Maritime Institute in Gdansk, they have managed to locate the wreck of another aircraft, resting on the seabed. The wreck, which according to preliminary research is in good condition, may be added to the Polish Aviation Museum collection in the future.

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The found machine is most probably a light bomber Douglas A-20. Produced in 1939-44, it was part of the armament of the armies of the USA, the Soviet Union, France and Great Britain. It was withdrawn from service in 1949. (USA). A total of 7478 pieces were produced in several versions.

After a reconnaissance, it was established that the plane’s state of preservation is extremely good. The engines are complete and undamaged and even have propellers! This is surprising, as the usually delicate aircraft would break into many fragments on impact with water, littering the bottom for many metres. The only piece missing is the tail, but it may be lying somewhere near the wreckage.

From the laconic information about the location we know that the bomber rests at a depth of less than 20m in the southern part of the Baltic Sea (hehe). The lack of more detailed data is dictated by the fear of looters, who may go after “souvenirs” from the newly discovered wreck.

According to researchers, the found copy was among the 2908 machines given to the USSR by the USA under the Lend-Lease programme. This was a federal act of 11 March 1941, allowing the President of the United States to “sell, transfer, barter, exchange, lease, loan, or otherwise make available to other governments any defense-related product. This piece of legislation contributed significantly to the Allied victory in World War II.

The find is a real treat, since only 12 American Douglas planes have been preserved in the world (apart from the wreck that has just been found). The Polish Aviation Museum has already expressed its interest in the plane. It is estimated that the cost of excavation of the find would amount to about 200-300 thousand PLN.

According to Dr Benedykt Hac from the Maritime Institute in Gdańsk, who is well known to our readers, the plane may be raised still this year. However, it will first be necessary to thoroughly examine the object for any weaponry left behind, including bombs.

Source: dziennikbaltycki.pl, trojmiasto.pl, im.gda.pl