SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber discovered off the coast of San Diego

[California Diver]

Took a hiatus from diving for little bit, coming back into it with a discovery of a new wreck off Pacific Beach. A unique feature of the wreck is a winch that indicates the aircraft was retrofitted to be a “target tug”. The aircraft would tow a target behind it that would be shot at for anti aircraft gunnery training. All underwater photos were shot by Dan Jackson.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Very cool! What depth?

 

[California Diver]

Very cool! What depth?

Approx 200’

 

[formernuke]

I wonder if they missed the towed target and got the plane.

 

[Marie13]

Neat!

We’ve had plenty of World War II planes pulled up from the bottom of Lake Michigan.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

I wonder if they missed the towed target and got the plane.

 

[California Diver]

I attached the accident report of the most likely candidate aircraft. Both crew members were killed and their remains were not recovered.

 

[California Diver]

Here is a war diary entry of the incident

 

[DiveTucson]

I don’t suppose the coordinates will be made public?

 

[California Diver]

Probably not but if you want to check it out I would be willing to take you there.